Bhai Phota

The festival of Bhai Phota or Bhai Dooj in Hindi is celebrated by all Hindu families residing in different regions of West Bengal. This is a festival for the brothers and sisters affirming the bond of affection and love between them. The festival takes place every year on the first or the second day from the Kali Puja festival. Bhai Phota in Calcutta is celebrated with much splendor. The day is known as prathama or dwitiya. The ceremony is marked with certain rituals along with a grand feast arranged for the brothers.

Legend Related to Bhai Phota

The most common legend behind the ceremony is the story of Yamuna (river) and her brother Yamaraj (God with whom spirits depart to hell). According to the story, Yamaraj, the god of death was invited by her sister to come to her house. On this day, she took aarti of her brother (holding a thali on which lamp is set with some paddy grass) and offered him a small gift. She fed him with great love and care. Yama was very happy and told Yamuna that from the onwards whoever who visit their sister's house on the auspicious day of Bhai dooj, would be exempted from the death hands of Yama.

Bhai Phota Rituals

Since early morning preparation are made for the ceremony. Sisters wake up early morning, take a bath and wear a saree.Then they prepare the thali (plate) for

puja. They keep on it some dhan, dubbo, sandalwood paste, kaajal, curd and a diya (lamp). After taking the aarti of her brother, she applies on his head a tika (mark) with sandal wood paste. While putting the tika she enchants a few lines (mantras) to keep her brother away from dangers and odds.

If the sister is younger than her brother, the phota (Tika) is applied with the right hand little finger while elder sister applies with her left hand. All the relatives surround during the tika ceremony. Sisters do not eat or drink anything until she puts the phota on her brother’s forehead. Finally she gives him a gift and also gets one from her brother.

Celebrating Bhai Phota

After the rituals are over, the whole family has a great time dining together. Brothers are specially served with an array of their favorite cuisines. Bhai Phota is a joyful occasion that is awaited eagerly and celebrated with great zest and enthusiasm.