Bhai Dooj is the festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters and this day is observed during five day long festival of Diwali. This festival is another version of Raksha Bandhan when this pious bond is observed. Sisters/brothers gift each other with lovely Bhai Dooj gifts to showcase their love for each other.
Before embarking on the journey of celebrating this pious festival, it is important to know the different legends related to Bhai Dooj. Read below to explore the legends of Bhai Dooj……
The story goes as Vamadeva asked Bali Maharaj to ask for any wish after he pleased him with his strong devotion. Lord Vishnu was asked by Bali as a boon to be present at Pataloka at each of its step. And, on this Lord Vishnu agreed on this and as a result he became the Dwarpalak, but when Goddess Laxmi came to know about the same, she planned a trick with Narad Muni to get his husband restore to normal. She requested Bali to become her brother as she does not have brothers and upon this Bali agreed. After becoming his sister, she asked Bali to get his husband released and Bali then had to release Lord Vishnu. And, from there, this festival of celebrating the bond between brother and sister was born.
When Lord Mahavira who is considered as 24th Tirthankara of Jainism achieved Nirvana, at that time, king Nandivardhan missed him a lot and that was the cause of his pain. And, it was the time he realized the love his sister Sudarshana who consoled him. As a result of this incidence the festival of Bhai Dooj came into being that celebrates this pious bond every year.
This festival is also called as Yama Dwiteeya because of the legend of Yamaraj and Yamuna. Once, Yamaraj who is believed to be the death God visited his sister Yamuna. Out of happiness, Yamuna offered his with gift and revered with Aarti. And, as a gift for all this that she did with love, he wanted to gift her something valuable. Since he did have any gift so, he gave him the boon that, whosoever will celebrate this day will never have to face the doors of hell.
As per the legend, when Lord Krishna went to meet Subhadra, his sister after killing Narakasura, the demon, he was given a warm welcome by his sisterwith Aarti and flowers. She also put Teeka on his forehead and it was only after that whole thing that the festival began to be celebrated every year as a means of celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters.
So, these are the some of the interesting stories related to Bhai Dooj and this will definitely make sisters and brothers more aware about the essence of this festival celebration. This festival calls for strengthening the bond between brothers and sisters. And, one must understand the real meaning of this celebratory occasion before getting onto making this occasion a way of showing up that pious love.
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