Bhaidooj Katha
The festival of Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the second day of Kartik Shukla Paksha. It is a symbol of brother-sister love. On this day, it is very fruitful for the brother and sister to take a bath together in Yamuna, apply tilak, and have food at the sister's house. On this day, the sister prays to Yamraj with folded hands and wishes for the long life of her brother and her husband. On this day, Yamuna ji fed her brother Yamraj. Therefore, it is also called Yam Dwitiya. On this day, gold clothes, coins, etc. should be given to the sister with devotion.
Bhai Dooj Ki Katha
The name of the wife of Lord Surya Narayana is Chhaya. The son and daughter of Lord Surya and Chhaya are Yamaraj and Yamuna. Yamuna had a lot of affection for her brother Yamaraj. She always requested him to come to her house with his friends and have food. Due to his busy schedule, Yamaraj kept postponing his sister's request. It was the day of Kartik Shukla Paksha. Yamuna invited her brother to come to her house for food and made him commit.
Yamaraj thought that I was the one who took away life. No one wants to invite me to their house. I must follow the good intentions with which my sister is calling me. While coming to his sister's house, Yamaraj freed the creatures living in hell. Yamuna was very happy to see Yamaraj coming to her house. She took a bath, performed puja, served food, and fed them. Pleased with the hospitality extended by Yamuna, Yamaraj ordered his sister to ask for a boon.
Yamuna said, "Bhadr, you should come to my house every year on this day. The sister who will respect her brother like me on this day and will apply tilak on him will not fear you." Yamraj said "Tathastu" gave Yamuna precious clothes and ornaments and left for Yamlok. From this day onwards the tradition of the Bhai Dooj festival started. It is believed that the sisters who accept the hospitality of their brother will not fear Yamraj. That is why Yamraj and Yamuna ji are worshipped on the day of Bhai Dooj.
Bhai Dooj Puja Vidhi
Get ready after taking a bath in the morning. First of all, the brother and sister together worship Yam, Chitragupta, and Yam's messengers and offer collective arghya. After this, the sister applies ghee and rice notes to her brother. Then sindoor, paan, betel nut, and dry coconut i.e. gola are also written on the brother's chutney. Then a sacred thread is tied to the brother's hand and he is given sweets. After this, the sister prays for her brother's long life. The brother allows a gift to his sister.
Conclusion
According to another legend, it was on the day of Bhai Dooj that Lord Krishna returned to Dwarka after killing the demon Narakasura. On this day, Lord Krishna's sister Subhadra welcomed him with fruits, flowers, sweets, and lots of lamps. Subhadra applied tilak on Lord Krishna's forehead and wished him a long life. From this day onwards, on the occasion of Bhai Dooj, sisters apply tilak on their brothers' foreheads, and in return, brothers give them gifts. Through talk to astrologers, you can know in detail about the importance of Bhaidooj Katha.
