One day after the most celebrated festival of India “Diwali”, another famous Hindu festival is celebrated called Bhai Dooj. The festival is devoted to the pious love of sister and brothers. This festival is known as Bhai Dooj in central India while this is known as Tikka in Northern India including Jammu. On this day sisters put a ‘Tilak’ on the forehead of their brothers and pray to God for his safety and healthy wealthy life. In return to her prayer brothers give gifts which include various types of items and also some money. Married girls specially pay visit to the house of their brothers on this occasion. In Jammu region also this festival is celebrated with joy and reverence. This festival is a symbol of pious love and concern of sisters for their brothers. Several stories are attributed to the origin and celebration of this festival. Many of them are found in the mythological and historical books related to Hinduism. According to one most popular story Yam and Yamuna were the two children of Surya. Once upon a time Yamuna living at another place invited his brother Yam at her home for having a meal with her. But Yam declined to accept her invitation by citing the reason of his being very busy. But soon he realized that his decision was not correct and he should have accepted the invitation of his sister. He realized that her sister has invited him out of her lots of love and respect for him. After this, he paid visit to the house of her and sister. Yamuna was very happy to see her brother and happily welcomed him. She first applied ‘Tilak’ on his forehead as respect for him. Yam really felt happy with her hospitality and asked her to make a wish. Then the Yamuna said that whosoever visits his sister’s house on this day will always be safe and not be afraid of death. Then, her brother happily said ‘Tathastu’ mean agreed. According to this story this is the reason described behind celebration of this festival of Bhai Dooj. Secondly, Kartika month is considered as an auspicious month in the Indian calendar and most of its days are auspicious. There is a day naming Yam Dwitiya which is observed on the 2nd of Kartika month in Shukla Paksha. This day is celebrated as Bhai Dooj. According to another story when Lord Krishna defeated Narakasura, he visited his sister Subhadra. She welcomed him and also applied the vijay tilak on the occasion of defeating the daemon. She made different food items and served him and Lord Krishna also liked her hospitality.
