Reenita's Wisdom

The five-day-long festival of Diwali ends with the celebration of Bhai-Dooj.

This final day of Diwali cherishes the affectionate relationship between brothers and sisters. A sister prays for her brother’s longevity and in return the brother promises to protect her for life.

In Punjab, the festival is referred to as Tikka named for the mark of vermilion that a sister applies to her brother’s forehead to symbolize her affection for him. Legend tells us that this tradition was started by Yami (the sister of Yama, the Lord of Death) who prayed for her brother’s well being with the auspicious vermilion mark on his forehead. So a brother who receives a tikka from his sister will escape an untimely death.

Like many other Hindu festivals, Bhai Dooj is about family ties and social attachments. It is a time when a married sister reunites with her own family.

Other posts about Diwali that you might enjoy reading:

• Diwali – A Holiday For Children in India And All Over The World

• Diwali – Celebrating The Inner Light Of Your Soul

• Diwali, India’s Holiday Celebrating Wealth And Prosperity

• Diwali, Indian Holiday, An Opportunity for Eco Business

• Diwali, India’s Festival of Light

Diwali, India’s Festival Of Light, is the most important holiday for the global Indian community. As much as it is a time to participate in family traditions, it is also a huge commercial opportunity for businesses, retailers and vendors that cater to the needs of the growing Indian community.

read more | digg story