Celebrated In
:
Second day after Diwali (October/November)
THE STORY
Rakhi
and Bhaiya-dooj are two separate festivals -- occurring on different days and
having a common theme: Brothers' day. Both these Hindu festivals are
celebrations of brother-sister love or bond.
On both these days, sisters pray for their brothers and renew the love (bond or
relationship) between brothers and sisters. Brothers in turn promise to protect
their sisters and help them during any troubles. This tradition probably
started a long time ago when women used to be very vulnerable and depended on
their families and relatives for protection. In spite of having usually her own
father to protect her, a girl (woman) might also require the assurance from
someone else -- at least when her father would become old or pass away. Thus
the responsibility of helping her during any need probably was assigned to her
brother or brothers. Moreover, if she wanted -- such as when she did not have a
real brother -- she could select someone unrelated to her as a god-brother
(Dharam-bhai) who would take responsibility to protect and help her in future
just like a real brother.
On Rakhi day, a girl (woman) ties a Rakhi (cotton thread or band) around the
right wrist of her brother (or god-brother) who promises to protect and assist
her if she is ever faced with troubles. Similarly, on a Bhaiya-dooj, sister
puts virmillian (sindhoor or red color) mark on the forehead (between
eye-brows) of her brother (god-brother) and gives him some sweets and a small
gift. Brother in turn promises to protect her. Moreover, on the occasions of
Rakhi and Bhaiya-dooj, a brother may give a small amount of money to his sister
as she ties a Rakhi on his wrist or puts a Sindhoor mark on his forehead.