Why do we celebrate Bhai Dooj ?

Why do we celebrate Bhai Dooj ? 



The last day of the diwali festival is known as Bhai Dooj

festival. “Bhai duj” or “Bhai Bij”, as the name suggests 

falls on Dooj, which means it is the second day after the 

new moon. It is believed that on this day Yamaraj, the Lord 

of Death, went to his sister's house . The sister welcomes 

him by putting an auspicious mark on his forehead for his 

welfare.



Another legend is that Lord Krishna visits his sister 

Subhadra after slaying Narakasur, the demon. On this "Dooj 

Day”, when sister Subhadra saw Lord Krishna in her house, 

she immediately prepares a thali and welcomes him with a 

lighted diya and putting on his forehead a tilak of her 

sisterly protection.


The history behind the origin of the Bhai Dooj festival also 

traces back to the period of Bhagawaan Mahavir. It is said 

that when Bhagawaan Mahavir found nirvana, his brother 

Raja Nandivardhan was very sad. He felt distressed that his 

brother is no longer with him. He missed his brother a lot. 

So he was comforted and consoled by his sister Sudarshana. 

Since then, women have been respected during this 

festival.



The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm. All sisters 

show their sisterly love for their brother. This they do by 

applying tilak on the forehead of their brothers and pray 

for their safety and well being. They are then given gifts 

from their brothers and held in the highest respect.

source - indiangiftsportal.com