The festive season has begun a couple of weeks before and here comes yet another reason to celebrate. The day dedicated to brothers and sisters knocks, with loads of love and joy. Bhaidooj is celebrated on the second day of Deepavali when brothers visit their sisters and gifts are exchanged amongst them. We have been celebrating this day since childhood but how many of us know its significance?
There are several stories that narrates the importance of Bhaidooj. Some say there used to be a loving younger brother and an elder sister, who got married and went to another village. The brother missed his sister whenever he saw someone play with their sister. Then he asked his mother the reason for why his sister never visited them, to which his mother answered that his and his sister’s villages were separated by a dense forest, which no one passed.
Despite of all the dangers posed by the mountains, rivers, snakes and wild animals, he decided to go. He received a warm welcome and was taken care of with lots of affection by his sister. He told his sister he might not make it to home back, because of the dangers of the forest that made his sister accompany him. She helped her brother to cross the forest with utmost care. She prayed to the gods, fed the animals and offered flowers to the mountains so that they do not harm them.
Another story goes by the visit of Lord Krishna to his sister, after he killed Narakasur. He was welcomed in the traditional way of aarti and putting tika.
There are many more stories that are associated with the auspicious day. Also this day is known by different names in different regions of the country. No matter how it is celebrated or what is it called, Bhaidooj will always continue to make the sibling-bond stronger!
