When is Bhai Dooj 2018, what is the festivals meaning and how is it connected to Diwali?
EVERY year, Hindu brothers and sisters come together to celebrate the festival of Bhai Dooj.
But what is it, how is it connected to Diwali, and why is it celebrated?
What is Bhai Dooj?
Bhai Dooj is a Hindu celebration of brotherly-sisterly love.
There are two celebrations of this special sibling relationship every year. The other is called Raksha Bandhan.
The word Dooj means the second day after the new moon, while Bhai means brother.
Legend says that, on this day, the Lord of Death Yamaraj visited his sister Yami, who put the auspicious tika (a religious red mark) on her brother's forehead.
The tika can also be known as a tilak or tilaka.
Hindus believe that any boy who receives a tika from his sister on this day will never be sent to hell.
According to another story, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra on this day, after slaying the Narakasura demon.
She is said to have welcomed him with the holy lamp, flowers, and sweets and put the same protective spot on her brother's forehead.
Women are revered during Bhai Dooj.
When is Bhai Dooj?
Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the fifth and last day of Diwali.
In 2018, that puts it on Friday, November 9.
The main celebration of Diwali is on November 7.
How is Bhai Dooj celebrated?
On Bhai Dooj, girls are supposed to show their love by putting an auspicious tika or vermilion mark on their brother's forehead.
They should also perform the ritual of aarti by lighting a holy flame - as a mark of love and protection from evil forces.
In return, sisters are lavished with presents and blessings from their brothers.