Delightful Bhai Dooj festival is popularly
known as Bhai Bij, Bhaubeej or Bhav Bij amongst the Marathi speaking community
in the states of Maharashtra and Goa. Just as Bhaidooj celebrations in rest of
India, Bhai Bij or Bhaubeej falls on the last day of five-day-long Diwali
festival, on the second day of Diwali. This is the second day of bright
fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Hindu month of Kartik. On Bhaubeej sisters pray
for their brothers long and happy life as they perform teeka ceremony. Brothers
also bless their sisters and pamper them with Bhav-Bij gifts. Highpoint of Bhai
Bij celebration in Maharashtra is a special sweet called Basundi Poori of
Shrikhand Poori.
Bhaubeej Ceremony :
On the day of Bhaubeej or Bhai Bij sisters' invite
their brothers for a sumptuous meal and offer brothers' their favorite dishes.
Following the tradition, sisters' in Maharashtra and Goa, prepare a special
square shaped space on the floor. The square is further embellished with
beautiful designs using corn powder. Interestingly, before the brother is made
to step into this square place of worship, he is made to eat a bitter fruit - Karith in Marathi. This peculiar custom has
its root in a mythological legend, according to which Lord Krishna is said to
have tasted this fruit before he set out to kill demon Narkasura. Here, brother
stands for Lord Krishna who performed the noble deed of killing the demon.
It may be noted that according to a popular Bhai
Beej legend in Hindu mythology, after slaying Narkasur, Lord Krishna visited
his sister Subhadra who gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers. She
also affectionately applied tilak on Krishna's forehead. Since then the custom
of celebrating Bhaubeej or Bhai Bij started.
Carrying forward the Bhaubeej ceremony in
traditional style, sisters' perform arti of their brother and apply a red tika
on the brother's forehead. This teeka ceremony, on the occasion of Bhai Bij
signifies sister's sincerest prayers for the long and happy life of her
brother. In return brother bless their sisters and treat them with Bhaubeej
gifts or some cash.
As it is customary in Maharashtra to celebrate the
auspicious occasion of Bhaubeej, women who don't have a brother worship Moon
God as celebrate they must.
Bhai Beej Celebration :
Festival of Bhai Beej is quite popular in
Maharashtra and Goa and is celebrated with lot of fervour and gaiety. Brothers
and sisters look forward to the occasion with immense enthusiasm. To add charm
to the occasion Bhai Beej Gifts are exchanged between brothers and sisters as a
token of love and appreciation.
Bhav Bij is the time for family reunion as all
brothers and sisters in the family get together. Close relatives and friends
are also invited to celebrate the Bhav Bij in several families. Delectable
Basundi Poori and Shrikhand Poori is relished along with several other festival
special dishes.
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