Bhaiya Dooj: Sisters Pray for Brothers’ Well-being in Age-old Festival

Patna: The festival of Bhaiya Dooj was celebrated across Bihar with traditional fervor, as sisters prayed for the long life and protection of their brothers in cities and villages alike. The rituals, steeped in cultural symbolism, involved sisters creating intricate figures from cow dung representing deities and protective symbols, including Godhan, Yam, Yamuna, snakes, and scorpions. In a unique practice, sisters would first prick their tongues with a thorn, a symbolic act believed to curse away potential dangers from their brothers.

Observing a strict Nirjala fast, the sisters worshipped these figures and performed a traditional ritual of striking Godhan with a pestle. Once the prayers concluded, they offered gram and sweets to their brothers, blessing them for a long life, while brothers reciprocated with gifts as tokens of love and appreciation.

The women performing the puja expressed that Bhaiya Dooj is a celebration of the protective and affectionate bond between siblings. As part of the ritual, sisters would create symbolic images and sing traditional songs to mark the occasion.

The festival’s roots trace back to the legend of Yamraj and his sister Yamuna, who blessed him with immortality, establishing a tradition that honors the deep ties between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters apply tilak to their brothers’ foreheads, making a vow for their protection, while brothers, in turn, promise to care for their sisters and present them with gifts in celebration of their bond.