Two days after Diwali, is what in North India is called Bhai Dooj and in Bengal, is called Bhai Phonta. This year, the date is Friday 13th November 2015. The bengali verse (in the title) is what the sisters recite when they put a dot on their brother's forehead.
Some also refer to this as Bhatri Dwitiya and some call it Yama Dwitiya.
Dwitiya, as this the second day after the new moon, and Bhai / Bhatri for brother.
Two days after Kali Puja is used as Bhai Phota Day in West Bengal .
Bhai Phota happens in Shukla Paksha and in Kartik month every Bengali year.
Bhai means Brother, and Phota means Dot so putting the dot on the brother's forehead is the day of Bhai Phota. Also as this happens on the second day after Amavasya (Dooj), this is also called Bhai Dooj.
The detailed verse is here :
“ Bhaier kapale dilam phonta,
Jamer Duare porlo kanta,
Jamuna Dae Jomke phonta,
Ami di amar bhaike phonta,
Bhai jeno hoy lohar vata.”
which means –
“on my brother's forehead I put the mark,
Death's door are now closely crossed
Yamuna applies the mark on Yama
While I give the mark to my brother
Let my brother be as tough as Iron”
The ritual is simple. The sister makes the brother sit cross legged on a mat, on the floor. She then lights a lamp. A paste made specially for this day, is put on their brother's forehead. The paste normally created using Sandal paste, Kumkum,;Vermilion and Curd. Sisters pray for long and healthy life for their brothers by giving them blessings using a special verse (mentioned above). Sisters arrange various types of sweets and snacks for their siblings after applying the Tilak and then break their fasting of Bhai Phota. If the sister is elder, the brother takes this as a blessing, and if this is a younger sister, then as a token of love.
The sister traditionally recites the verse three times and then washes his hand and serves an exclusive lunch where fish, meat and other vegetables dishes waits for the brother.
Legends say, Yamuna is said to have performed this for the first time for her brother, Yama, on this day.
Yama, the god of Death had not visited his sister Yamuna for 12 years. Yamuna, the goddess of Yamuna river, was sad and consulted Ganga, the goddess of Ganga river. Ganga reminded Yama of his sister, upon which Yama visits her. Yamuna was overjoyed to see her brother, and prepared a bounty of food for Yama. The god Yama was delighted, and asked Yamuna what she wanted for gift. She wished that he, her brother should return and see her again soon. Yama was moved by his sister's love, agreed and to be able to see her again, made river Yamuna immortal.
This ends the five day celebration of Diwali.
Some also refer to this as Bhatri Dwitiya and some call it Yama Dwitiya.
Dwitiya, as this the second day after the new moon, and Bhai / Bhatri for brother.
Two days after Kali Puja is used as Bhai Phota Day in West Bengal .
Bhai Phota happens in Shukla Paksha and in Kartik month every Bengali year.
Bhai means Brother, and Phota means Dot so putting the dot on the brother's forehead is the day of Bhai Phota. Also as this happens on the second day after Amavasya (Dooj), this is also called Bhai Dooj.
The detailed verse is here :
“ Bhaier kapale dilam phonta,
Jamer Duare porlo kanta,
Jamuna Dae Jomke phonta,
Ami di amar bhaike phonta,
Bhai jeno hoy lohar vata.”
which means –
“on my brother's forehead I put the mark,
Death's door are now closely crossed
Yamuna applies the mark on Yama
While I give the mark to my brother
Let my brother be as tough as Iron”
The ritual is simple. The sister makes the brother sit cross legged on a mat, on the floor. She then lights a lamp. A paste made specially for this day, is put on their brother's forehead. The paste normally created using Sandal paste, Kumkum,;Vermilion and Curd. Sisters pray for long and healthy life for their brothers by giving them blessings using a special verse (mentioned above). Sisters arrange various types of sweets and snacks for their siblings after applying the Tilak and then break their fasting of Bhai Phota. If the sister is elder, the brother takes this as a blessing, and if this is a younger sister, then as a token of love.
The sister traditionally recites the verse three times and then washes his hand and serves an exclusive lunch where fish, meat and other vegetables dishes waits for the brother.
Legends say, Yamuna is said to have performed this for the first time for her brother, Yama, on this day.
Yama, the god of Death had not visited his sister Yamuna for 12 years. Yamuna, the goddess of Yamuna river, was sad and consulted Ganga, the goddess of Ganga river. Ganga reminded Yama of his sister, upon which Yama visits her. Yamuna was overjoyed to see her brother, and prepared a bounty of food for Yama. The god Yama was delighted, and asked Yamuna what she wanted for gift. She wished that he, her brother should return and see her again soon. Yama was moved by his sister's love, agreed and to be able to see her again, made river Yamuna immortal.
This ends the five day celebration of Diwali.
Happy Bhai Phonta
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