Bhai Dooj is a festival celebrating the bond between a brother and sister. The word ‘bhai’ means ‘brother’, while ‘dooj’ means the second day following the full moon day. This festival is celebrated by the Hindus twice a year, once 2 days after Holi and the next time 2 days after Diwali.
On the day of Bhai Dooj, the sister performs a special worship in the morning for her brother’s well being. Some rituals are carried out, as a part of which she applies a ‘tikka’ (vermillion mark) on her brother’s forehead. She offers her brother some sweets along with pieces of coconut as a mark of her affection towards him. The brother is supposed to gift her with some money or presents.
Bhai Dooj is considered very auspicious among the Hindu people. In case of a married woman, she makes it a point to visit her brother at her home during this festival. If she can’t make it, she will at least send the necessary items like the ‘tikka’, ‘roli’ (a vermillion applied by a married woman over her forehead) and some rice, which are required for the rituals.
It is known as 'Bhav Bij, among Marathi speaking people, 'Bhai Phota', in West Bengal and in some places as 'Bhai Tika'.
