Bhai Dooj 2021: What it’s all about History, Significance and Celebrations

_{Bhai Dooj, Bhaubeej, Bhai Tika, Bhai Phonta is a festival celebrated by Hindus on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar or of Shalivahan Shaka calendar month of Kartika. It is celebrated during the Diwali or Tihar festival and Holi festival in India}

This year, Bhai Dooj : November 6, 2021 (Saturday)
Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time : 01:10 PM to 03:21 PM Dwitiya Tithi Begins: 11:14 PM on November 05, 2021
Dwitiya Tithi Ends: 07:44 PM on November 06, 202

History and significance

As is common with most Hindu festivals, there are many legends associated with the celebration of this auspicious festival, the most popular one being about Yamraj, the god of death. As per this legend, Yamraj’s sister Yamuna tried to get her brother to visit her on many occasions but Yamraj was unable to do so for a long time. When he finally met her, he was greeted with a grand ceremony, offered sweets and had the ceremonial tika placed on his forehead.

Being immensely pleased with the love and respect he was showered with, Yamraj gave Yamuna a boon and she in turn asked him to dedicate a day on which he would visit her house each year. Hence, the ritual of siblings visiting each other on this day began to honour the kinship between them.

Another legend suggests that on this day, Lord Krishna went to visit his sister Subhadra after defeating the demon, Naraksura. Subhadra welcomed him with a garland of flowers, placed the tika on his forehead and performed an aarti, which gave rise to the festival of Bhai Dooj.

Celebrations

In its essence and sentiment, Bhai Dooj is quite similar to Raksha Bandhan but on this occasion the ceremonial Rakhi is not tied on the wrist. On this day, elder siblings give gifts and money to their younger siblings who in turn apply the tika to their foreheads and pray for their wellbeing and protection. The entire family gets together to celebrate this auspicious festival and to indulge in the various delicacies leftover from Diwali.

Here are a few traditional dishes that you can make at home to celebrate the festival of Bhai Dooj.

Dal Paratha

Made with soaked and cooked chana dal, carom seeds, salt, red chilli, and salt, this flaky paratha is cooked in mustard oil or ghee and tastes best with aloo curry and kheer.

Rice Jaggery Kheer

This sweet delight is made with broken rice, jaggery, water, and milk. Flavoured with fresh cardamom powder and nuts, this dessert recipe is a must-try.

Rasmalai

It is one of the most tempting traditional sweet dishes. This mouth-watering delicacy is made using paneer, milk, sugar, saffron, almonds and pistachios. You just need 25 minutes to make this lip-smacking treat.

Dal Kebab

Made with soaked lentils, soy chunks, green chilli, and salt, these melt-in-the-mouth kebabs are healthy and delicious.

Malai Kofta

These super soft koftas made with paneer, potato, and peas are soaked in a thick gravy loaded with the goodness of cashew. This slightly sweet main course dish goes well with rice and roti too!