“Your brother and sister, if you have them, are the brother and sister you know best. They may not be the ones you like the best. They may not be the most interesting, but they are the closest and probably the clearest to you,” said novelist James Salter.
A line that best goes with the present occasion of “Bhai Dooj”, a sacred day being dedicated only for brothers and sisters which is celebrated in India, specifically among the Hindus.
It generally occurs, right after two days from Diwali that is the second lunar day in the month of ‘Kartika’ which mostly overlaps during the time period of October and November. This year in 2020, this auspicious day is celebrated, on 16th November.
Bhai Dooj is also known as “Bhau deej”, “Bhai tika” and “Bhai phonta” in other parts of India. In South India, this day is known as Yama Dwitya.
The celebrations of this occasion is similar to that of “Raksha Bandhan”, where the brother presents a gift to his sister and the sister in return hosts a lunch or a dinner to the brother.
The Bhai Dooj tika time on the day is between 01.10 pm and 03.18 pm. The Drik Panchang, the dwitiya tithi begins at 07.06 am and ends at 03.56 am on November 17.
Aratis and chanting of various mantras followed by the placing of tika, as part of the ritual is grandly presented at the ceremony. In these days following the present trend, the brothers and sisters majorly go out with their families, at a restaurant or hotel and celebrate the occasion there. Exchange of gifts and family get together is the quintessential part of the occasion.
But unfortunately in 2020 due to Covid and as per stratified governmental rules, the celebration of this splendid occasion is streamlined to very limited and selective family get together, all over the country.
