How Bhai Dooj is to be celebrated

 

Since Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the third day of Diwali celebrations. Thus rituals for the celebration are performed on the very place where we performed Diwali Pooja two days before. The Pooja Thali used in the Diwali Poojan is used by the sisters of the family to apply Teeka on their brothers foreheads. You might be eager to know as to what this Teeka is? Teeka is a sacred sign drawn by turmeric, Kumkum, Chandan or Roli with thumb. On Bhai Dooj Rooli, Teeka is put on the forehead of brother by the sister with the prayer of his well being, prosperity, wealth and good luck. Roli, Rice, Sweets, Waterpot and Lamp are already there in the pooja thali of Diwali. From the same pooja thali the rituals of Bhai Dooj, Teeka are performed. Sisters wake up early in the morning, take bath and then get ready to put Teeka to their Brother's forehead. Brothers also take bath and get themselves ready to get the holy Teeka mark on their foreheads. Before putting Teeka girls are supposed to hear the story of this Bhai Dooj . Brothers are to take Bath in Ganga, Yamuna or River nearby. If it is not possible then brother should take bath at his sister's home. Keeping in view the importance of this ritual, brothers usually go to their sisters homes whether it is situated nearby or at a far flung area. It is said that he who takes bath at his sister's house on the day of Bhai Dooj and takes meal there after having teeka ceremony he is not teased by Yama -the God of Death. Thus on the auspicious day of Bhaidooj every brother should visit his sister's home and take bath there. After taking bath should get the Holi mark of teeka on his forehead. This teeka should be put up by the sister on his brother's forehead after performing a small pooja with a pooja thali having a lighten up lamp in the thali along with Kalawa, Roli and rice, sweets and a whole coconut.Everything mentioned to be put up in Pooja thali has a great meaning.

Kalawa : ( Red pious thread to be tide on the brothers right hand) This lean, red, soft thread is called the Raksha Sutra - a thread which saves from all evils.

 

Roli : is the red colored pious powder for erreting the holy mark of teeka on brother's forehead.

 

Rice : Two three rice are to be affixed on teeka and 10 to 15 are to be showered on the head of the brother as a sign of prosperity.

 

Sweets : After showering rice over the head of brothers. Sisters are to put a small piece of sweet to their brother's mouth, eating sweet is a sign of happiness and joy.

 

The whole coconut : After offering sweets, sisters give whole coconut to brother. Whole coconut is compared with a male. Thus by giving this whole coconut sister expresses their feelings that their brothers may not ever feel the shortage of man power in their lieves. Thus after performing pooja in the above described manner sisters offer eatables to their brothers preferably if rice is served that is told to be of much importance. Because white colour is always taken for purity and calmness.