Bhai Dooj 2024: Date, Muhurat, Importance, and Traditions
Bhai Dooj is the second of the three major festivals in India that is dedicated to brothers and sisters. Like Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj depicts the love, safety, and respect for one another that exists between brothers and sisters. It falls two days after Diwali and is very significant in northern and western Indian states. Bhai Dooj in 2024 will be on 3rd November. See the date, muhurat, importance, rituals, and myths behind Bhai Dooj.
Bhai Dooj 2024 Date and Muhurat
Bhai Dooj is done on the second day of Shukla Paksha or the waxing moon phase in the month of Kartik. In the year 2024, it will be on 3rd November, which is a Sunday.
Inauspicious Time for Tika (Tilak): November 3, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 02:00 PM
Dwitiya Tithi Shuru: November 2, 2024 at 11:36 PM
Dwitiya Tithi Ant: November 3, 2024 at 10:04 PM
Bhai Dooj Sisters performs her ritual in the sacred muhurat and tika to brothers’ forehead and pray for the long life prosperity and well-being of brother.
What is the meaning of Bhai Dooj
It is an extremely great day in Hindu culture and for spirituality since it talks of the time when sisters used to pray for the welfare, good health, and long life of their brothers. And brothers give the love of their sisters so that no one in life could cause them harm, which on Bhai Dooj is ensured once again by the brother and sister for each other’s lifetime.
This festival traces its origin way back in the ancient era of myths and is an important activity strongly linked with the Yama, God of death, and Yamuna, Yama’s sister. It is said that according to the ancient lore, it was said that Yama went and visited his sister Yamuna, who happily welcomed Yama, decorated him with his tilak, and served him some yummy good feast. Highly influenced by her love, Yama granted her boon which states that any brother who receives a tika from his sister on Bhai Dooj would have a long and healthy life. It is hence also called Yama Dwitiya.
Rituals and Customs of Bhai Dooj
The uniqueness and importance of Bhai Dooj come because of the unique customs and rituals. Sisters make a grand preparation and arrange the special rituals for their brothers. How to celebrate Bhai Dooj is elaborated step by step given below:
1. Purification and Preparation
Sisters and brothers wake up in the morning of Bhai Dooj. Taking bath and wearing new clothes. Sisters prepare Puja thali, the sacred thali, with all essential elements like:
Kumkum or Chandan
Akshat
Diya
Mithai, fruits, etc.
Sisters invite their brothers to their houses or visit their brother’s houses for the rituals. The brother is seated on a small wooden or decorated stool. Sisters often wash the hands and feet of the brothers with holy water before the start of the tika ceremony, which depicts respect and purity.
3. Tika Ceremony and Aarti
The tika or tilak is the essence of Bhai Dooj. The sister applies tika of the sandalwood paste and vermilion on her brother’s forehead, along with the rice grains. This mark symbolizes prayer for his protection and long life. Sisters perform an aarti on their brothers by pushing the thali in the circular motion before them with prayers.
It represents that sister is actually praying for brother’s safety and prosperity and aarti and diya meaning light or knowledge that keeps the negativity away from brother’s life. Sweet Offerings and Gifts:
Sistas distribute halwas and namkeen to their brothers after worshiping Yama and Yamuna. Conventionally she gives laddoos, barfis or homemade sweet which is actually a gesture of love being a sibling for each other. Brothers also gift love tokens to her sisster. Their offering may be jewels, raiments or in currencies or other forms of manifesting love.
5. Listening to the Story of Yama and Yamuna
Many families tell the Yama and Yamuna story of Bhai Dooj. The moral lesson will be taught to young minds through the narration of how brothers loved each other lovingly, devotedly and committedly for the legends of love, loyalty and commitment before them. This way the festival becomes important.
Story of Yama and Yamuna of Bhai Dooj: The Legend
The origin of Bhai Dooj is related to the myth of Yam, the god of death, and his beloved sister, Yamuna. Yamuna always used to invite her dear brother Yama to come over to her place thinking he might visit her as she loved him so dearly. Due to his work obligations, Yama could hardly pay visits to her very often. On Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, Yam decided to come to his sister Yamuna’s place.
Yamuna wel-comed her brother in a great joy, fulfilled all the ceremonies, smearing tilak on the forehead and arranged a big feast. On being moved by the overwhelming love and devotion, Yama benedicted Yamuna declaring that any brother who, on this very day gets tika applied by sister will live an extended prosperous and happy life. Thereafter, on this particular day, people started celebrating this day as Bhai Dooj.
One is the Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra. In Hinduism, after killing the demon Narakasura, Lord Krishna went to see his sister Subhadra, who greeted him warmly by applying the tika. This act of affection between the divine brothers has inspired generations of Hindus further and has integrated into the meaning of the festival.
Relevance to modern times
As fast as anything on earth can be, Bhai Dooj gives siblings a time to catch up and to strengthen those ties. Majority of the times, members are spread over various cities, and in some cases, the world. Bhai Dooj gives those siblings who have all that distance created in their past a time to reconnect with all those memories they shared. Brothers and sisters can be divided by houses as they no longer live under one roof, but festivals like Bhai Dooj provide them with a valid reason to set aside precious time to celebrate their bonding.
Besides tradition, Bhai Dooj reminds the siblings of their joint past and experiences and future responsibility for each other. The gifts, blessings, and good wishes shared on this day are gestures reminding the siblings of their responsibility to support and care for each other in the struggles and moments of joy that life might bring.
Things Not to Do on Bhai Dooj
For the day of Bhai Dooj to be auspicious and meaningful, the following things should not be done on this day:
1. Avoid Negative Emotions: The environment must be positive and full of joy, without any fights or misunderstandings.
2. Respect the Rituals: Every part of the ritual has a specific significance, so it is desirable to perform them in an honest manner.
3. No Impure Practices: As purity is the essence of Bhai Dooj, it is essential that the environment is pure and while performing the ritual, a clear, focused mind is maintained.
4. Responsible Celebrations: Eco-friendly celebrations do not allow or encourage any offerings and decorations that may potentially cause any kind of damage to nature.
Conclusion
Bhai Dooj is that festival that underlines ageless love, care, and respect between brothers and sisters. Through tika, prayers, and gifts, siblings declare their unwavering support for each other and reiterate their commitment to stand by one another in thick and thin. The sacred sibling bond indeed is a beautiful celebration of the bond which surpasses all biological ties reminding us of our unique roles siblings play in our lives.
Let us come along with the spirit of love and gratitude towards the siblings on This Bhai Dooj. Prosperity, healthy living, and happiness towards all brothers and sisters today, Lord Yama and Yamuna may grant upon you in abundance. Happy Bhai Dooj 2024!
