Bhai Dooj Story

Bhai Dooj has a mythological tale linked to it. Surya (the Sun God) and his wife Sangya had two children: Yamraj (the God of Death) and Yamuna (a river goddess). Unable to bear Surya's intense radiance, Sangya created her shadow form to care for her children and left. However, the shadow was not very affectionate toward Yamraj and Yamuna. Despite this, Yamuna deeply cared for her brother Yamraj. Yamuna often visited Yamraj to check on him and invited him to her home, but due to his responsibilities, he couldn’t go. One day, on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya (the second day of the bright lunar fortnight in Kartik month), Yamraj unexpectedly visited Yamuna's home. On his way, he freed souls residing in hell. Yamuna warmly welcomed her brother, prepared a feast for him, and performed a ceremonial tilak on his forehead. Before leaving, Yamraj asked her to request a boon. Yamuna wished that he would visit her every year on this day and that any brother who visits his sister and shares a meal with her on this day would be freed from his fear. Yamraj also declared that brothers and sisters bathing in the Yamuna River on this day would be protected from his wrath. Since then, Bhai Dooj has been celebrated to honor the bond between brothers and sisters, promoting affection and goodwill. It also marks the end of the five-day Diwali festivities. For those without sisters, gifts can be given to other female relatives, such as cousins, to seek blessings. Eating food prepared by a sister on Bhai Dooj is believed to bring prosperity, longevity, and happiness. Lighting a lamp with four wicks outside the house in the evening is considered auspicious too.