Shab-i-Miraj

The meaning of Shab-i-Miraj is the "night of Ascent", on this blessed night the Holy Prophet of Islam was spiritually reached to heaven, his journey was not with his physical body. The Holy Prophet attained the highest stage of nearness to God Almighty that is beyond the range of ordinary person. His journey took place on 27th day or Rajab, 2 years before Hijra. The festival comes in the month of June-July.


History: As per the Muslim legends, the night journey has two parts-First is a journey that Islamic prophet Muhammad took in one night on a winged horse it was a physical journey. On the other hand, some Muslims beliefs hold the view that it happened spiritually through a metaphorical vision. The prophet reached the Seventh Heaven, there is a Kabah of sorts for the angels. Legends say that,the day when Muhammad reached the Seventh Heaven,since the dawn of time 70,000 angels entered and were never seen again.


How it is celebrated: On Shab-i-Miraj, the streets, houses and the mosques are fully decorated with electric candles,lights and oil lamps. In evening, people gather in the mosques and sing hymns in Prophet's praise. After Isha Prayer, public meetings are also held where speakers throw light on the various spiritual aspects of Prophet's life. Sweets are distributed after the meeting and the devotees give money in charity and distribute food among the poor.

Significance: Shab-i-Miraj holds special importance among Muslims, it is believed that the Holy Prophet continued his journey till he reached the Throne of God Almighty. To commemorate his journey, five daily prayers are made obligatory upon Muslims.

Shivaji Jayanti

Shivaji Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj, it is celebrated on 19th February. Shivaji Maharaj was born on 19th February, 1627. He was named after a local Goddess Shivai. Shivaji was a son of Jijabai and Shahaji Bhonsle . He is known as a creator of the Maratha nation. His birthday is celebrated with great enthusiasm.


History: Chatrapati Shivaji was a hero for the people of Maharashtra,he was born in Shivneri Fort, 60 kms north of Pune. Shivaji Maharaj was introduced to great Indian epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and other holy books by her mother Jijabai. Shivaji grew up as a powerful and fearless military leader, his civil and military administration was of greatest importance. He was given the Title of Chatrapati in the year 1674,he left an indelible mark on the pages of Indian history. He died in 1680. He has been a source of inspiration for generations.


How it is celebrated : Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm.Several processions are taken out and the people dress up in an attire of Shivaji.Various programs are held in the memory of Chatrapati Shivaji.

Significance: Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated remembering the achievements of the Great Maratha Ruler, he was a real hero of not only for the people of Maratha but for the whole of the India.

Ganga Dussehra

River Ganga holds a significant place in Indian Life,it is the largest of the rivers of India. Ganga Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of Jyeshtha, this festival comes in the month of June. During this festival, ten days of the month are dedicated to the worship of Holy River Ganga. River Ganga is regarded as a goddess as well as a mother by the Hindus.


History: Legends say, Long ago a king named Sagar performed the horse sacrifice known as Ashvamedh. One day king’s horse reached the ashram of sage Kapil Muni, in search of the horse seven thousand of the king’s boys also reached there. They thought that Kapil Muni has kidnapped the horse, Kapil Muni cursed them to reduced to ashes. King Sagar became anxious, he sent his grandson Anshuman to Kapil Muni. Anshuman apologized and ask“How can the sin of the king’s boys be destroyed?” Kapil Muni replied “They will be saved if the water of the Ganga will flow over this land.” Finally, Anshuman's son Bhagirath managed to bring down the Ganga on Earth.On the tenth day of the bright half of Jyeshth,Goddess Ganga started to flow from the hair of Shankar.So,Ganga Dussehra is celebrated to worship mother Ganga.

How it is celebrated: In Haridwar grand Aartis are done at twilight and thousands of devotees meditate on riverbanks. Prayag, Haridwar, Varanasi, Rishikesh where Ganga flows, hold special importance on this day. People rush to these places and took a holy bath in it. Significance: On this day people take bath in the holy water of Mother Ganga, it is believed that a bath in the river is said to purify the bather of all sins.

Rathyatra

Rathyatra is a chariot festival held at the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri (Orissa). It is celebrated for 8 days, thousands of devotees rush to Puri during the festival.It is a belief that a glimpse of Lord Jagannath in his chariot provides salvation. The Rathyatra is done in the month of June and July. History: According to the Bhagavad Purana, on this day Balarama asnd Lord Krishna went to Mathura to take part in a wrestling competition, the invitation was given by Kansa.


A legend behind the Rath Yatra says that, the deities are taken to the Gundicha Mandir every year because Lord Jagannatha is said to visit his birthplace every year for a week. Another legend say that, Subhadra wanted to visit her parent's home(Dwarka) and her brothers took her, so the Yatra is done in the memory of that visit. How it is celebrated: On the respective day, people get up early and worship Lord Jagannatha. Beautiful Raths(chariots) are lined up before Puri temple. The deities are brought to their respective chariots with great pomp. The ceremony is done by the King of Puri.The chariot platforms are swept by adherents of the King with a gold-handled broom, they sprinkle the scented water to showcase in the eyes of God that all men are equal.


Images of the Lord of the Universe- Lord Jagannath, brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra are taken out in a procesion in three Raths, thousands of devotees pull the chariots to Gundicha Mandir and after a week there is a return journey from Gundicha temple on 'Ashadha Sukla Dasami', the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha.

Significance: The whole Rath Yatra is a symbolic humanization of God. It is an attempt to bring God down to a more human level from his pedestal of glory.

Kharchi Puja

Kharchi Puja comes in the month of June - July, is one of the remarkable festivals of the state of Tripura. Kharchi Puja is also known as Chaudda Devata Puja' or 'Chaturdash. The word Kharchi comprises of two words, Khar means sin and Chi denotes cleaning. Kharchi Puja refers to the cleaning of the sins of the people. It is the worship of the dynasty deity of the people of Tripura, the fourteen gods. History: A cruel king named Tripur ruled Tripura, to get rid of his evils, people worshiped Lord Shiva and offered prayers to him.


Lord Shiva, being pleased killed the king. God Shiva said, the queen would bear a son and he would be the next ruler. The Queen and the subjects were asked to worship 14 gods everyday-Uma (Wife of Lord Siva), Hara (Lord Siva), Prithvi (Goddess of Earth), Hari (Lord bishnu), Bani (Saraswati), Brahma (creator of Universe), Ma (Lakshmi), Ganesh (Siddidata), Ganga (Goddess of Ganges), Kamdev (God of Love and Romance), Agni (God of Fire), Samudra (God of Ocean) and Himalaya (God of all Hills)..During Kharchi puja Goddess 'Burama' is also worshipped.

How it is celebrated: Kharchi Puja falls begins on the eighth day of the moonlit period (Suklastami), it continues for seven days.Thousands of people rush to temple premises where they attend the celebrations. During Kharchi Puja, fourteen gods are worshipped. One of the main ritual is the sacrifice of goats and piegons.

Significance: The Kharchi Puja is performed to clean out the sins, it is done for seven consecutive days to clean up the post menstrual uncleanliness of mother earth's menstruation.

Agni Utsav

Agni Utsav in celebrated in different parts of Orissa, its celebration style varies from district to district. It is celebrated every year in Mid January to Mid February . Every year it's date keeps changing. Agni Utsav is mainly celebrated by the farmers of Orissa.This festival holds its special place among the people of Orissa. People welcome the festival with great enthusiasm and divinity.


How it is celebrated: On this day 'Agni' is worshipped. The rituals related with the festival are considered to be helpful for the farmers of Orissa. Whole family indulges in the preparations . Females start cleaning and decorating their houses. Males collect straws to be burnt the very day. People make huge heaps of hay. Large bundles of straw, heaps and dried grass are burnt. People enjoy with their friends and family.


Significance: Farmers believe that, Agni Utsav helps them to predict the condition of their crops the next year.They burn heaps of straws and direction of the straw while burning predicts the coming year's crop. The predictions are:

* A westward tilt predicts floods.
* Northeast tilt denotes good crops.
* A tilt towards the east resembles entry of saline waters into the fields and high tides.

Ugadi or Yugadi

The word Ugadi or Yugadi means beginning of new era, it is the New Year's Day for the people of the Deccan region of India. Indian calender is based on lunisolar changes and Saka calender commences with Chaitra (March -April), usually Ugadi falls in the month of March and April. This festival denotes the first day of New Year. This festival is celebrated by the people of Maharashtra, Manipur and Sindh.

History: As per the legends, “Yesmin Krishno DivamVyataha, Tasmat eeva pratipannam Kaliyugam”, these are the Sanskrit verses of the great Saint Vedavyasa, according to it, Kali Yuga has begun at the time when Lord Krishna passed away. Most of the historians say, it started from 3102BC. Ugadi, denotes the beginning of New Yuga or Era.



How it is celebrated: On this day, the people get up early and take a head bath. They decorate the entrance of their house with fresh mango leaves and rangoli. People pray for their good health,peace and prosperity. Coconuts and Mango leaves are used for pooja, they splash fresh cow dung water in front of their houses. Later, people gather to listen the recitation of divine and religious Panchangam, almanac, of the New Year.

Significance: Ugadi is regarded as most remarkable day for the commencement of the new projects and ventures. It is celebrated as the First day of the New Year.

Milad-un-Nabi

This festival is also known as Barawafat.On this day Prophet Muhammad was born .Milad-un-Nabi comes in the month of March.This festival originatd in the Fatimid dynasty. 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal of the Islamic lunar calendar year is remembered as the birth anniversary of Prophet . The word barah' in Barawafat denotes the twelve days of Prophet's sickness.


History: In the twelfth century this festival was celebrated by Sunnis. They were under the rule of Nur ad-Din. Some theorists form the view that Sunnis adopted this festival to fight Christian influence in Morroco and Spain. For sometime the celebrations discontinued. In 1207 Muzaffar ad-din brought back the festival and announced it as an official event. As per the legends, when Muhammad took birth in eighth-century in Mecca his mother Harun al-Rashid, Al-Khayzuran changed her house into a place of prayer. In the eleventh century Milad-un-Nabi's first celebrations occurred by Fatimid dynasty in Egypt.


How it is celebrated: A ceremony called called Sandal rite is performed in many parts of the country. In this ceremony the foot prints of Prophet imprinted on stone and the model of animal like horse is worshipped. Footprints are smeared with scented powder . Marsiyas are sung in the remembrance of Muhhammed Prophet. Processions pass through the streets,the day starts with morning prayers in the mosque. Food is arranged for poor. Buildings and Mosques are decorated with colorful streamers.

Significance: This is an important festival of Muslims, it is celebrated to spread and commemorate the teachings of Muhhammed Prophet. It is also celebrated as the birth and death Anniversary of Prophet .On this day the events are remembered which occurred at the time of birth Prophet.

Ram Nanami

Ram Navami the most important festival of Hindus it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and divinity. This popular festival is celebrated on on the ninth day (Navami) of the Chaitra month of Hindu lunar year in 'Shukla paksha' or waxing moon.This festival gets high regards because it is celebrted as the birth day of Lord Rama that is also known as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ram Navami also marks the end of nine day celebration of Chaitra-Navratri . The festival usually comes in the month of March or April.


History and Legends: Hinduism is the oldest religion of the world and there are so many references found in Kalika Puran in earlier times when there was a prevalence of caste system Ram Navami was the only festival that was celebrated by lower castes (shudras).This divine festival has got its place among five major sacred festivals a way to attain salvation. The legends reagarding Ram Navami can also be traced from pre-christian era.

How it is celebrated: Ram Navami is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Rama people celebrate it with great pomp and diety.People do fasts and this is regarded as the way of attainment of Salvation. Thousands of people come to visit Lord Rama Temple. People worship the idols of Lord Rama and Sita they offer burn dhoop and incense sticks and flowers a thali contain prasad is mainly used for pooja other important items include rice, lota (container filled with water), roli (sacred tilak), earthen lamp and flowers.

Significance: It is a major festival of Vaishnavites, one main element of the celebration is the Ramayana parayana that is a discourse on the Ramayana,done by a professional story-teller or Pundit. It ends up on the ninth day carried on by musical programmes . In Rameshwaram, thousands of devotees take a ritual bath in the sea before worshipping at the Ramanathaswamy temple.

Jwalamukhi Fair

The festival that is dedicated to the Goddess of volcano celebrated with full spirit of divinity .In the Kangra valleys of Himalyas Jwalamukhi is a volcano and the people of hilly areas believe that the inflammable gases from volcano are the sacred fire that comes from the Goddess of the Jwalamukhi volcano that's why the people worship the Goddess with utmost spirit of divinity.The Jwalamukhi Fair is celebrated in the month of April and October.

As per the legends the demons were attacking Himalyas and the Gods led by God Vishnu ordered to destroy them to help the Gods huge flames broke out,these flames gave birth to young girl that is regarded as Adishakti-the first `shakti,Jwalamukhi devi is worshipped by a large number of followers. The temple of Jwalamukhi is regarded as most sacred place in Northern India.

How it is celebrated : People celebrate it with great divinity during the fair the water and milk is offered to the flames following by the puja that goes on for a whole day. To greet and wish mother Goddess Jwalamukhui Devi people bring red silken flags (dhwaja). The flames that are coming from earth spontaneously and perpetually are regarded as blessings of Jwalamukhi devi and the fair is attribute to the worship of these eternal and divine flames.People take holy bath in the springs and goddess is offered the Bhog of Rabri or thickened milk, Misri or candy, seasonal fruits and milk."Durga Saptasati is recited by people.

Significance:The flames the come from the volcano are manifested as Jwalamukhi devi. The temple of Jwalamukhi devi is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas of India.In the temple there is no idol there is a rock in the middle that has a crack and from there the gas is emitted the priest keeps applying the flame to the gas, it is treated as blessing of the diety.

Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam

To fill evryone's spirit with utmost divinity, a festival that comes in the month of September/ October one of the most important among Hindu Festivals it is Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam , as per th beliefs and legends Lord Brahma first performed this festival at Tirupati, this festival is basically devoted to Lord Balaji, this is the most important festival of Andhra Pradesh.


It is also known as the name of 'Tirupati festival' in Andhra Pradesh. Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam ia a nine day festival these nine days are filled with so many different kinds of festivities, every day has got it special significance, in fact it is very unique opportunity for pilgrims to participate with full divinity and enthusiasm and experience the “Vaikuntha Anubhava” .

Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam is performed as a Thanks giving ceremony to God, the word 'Brahmotsavam that means "Brahma's Utsavam" a festival that is all dedicated to Lord Brahma's and pole offer prayers and receive the blessings of Sri Venkateswara Swami, there are long processions and full day celebrations.The festival commences with the hoisting of Garudadhwaja.

As the festival continues for nine days after Garudadhwaja, followed by other ceremonies like Pedda Aadisesha vahanam, Chinna Sesha Vahanam, Hansa vahanam, Simha Vahanam,Muthyala Pallaki Vahanam, Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam, Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam , Garuda Vahanam , Hanumantha Vahanam, Gaja Vahanam, Surya Prabha Vahanam, Chandra Prabha Vahanam, Rathostavam, Aswa Vahanam, Chakra Snanam and on ninth as closing ceremony again there is Dwajaavarohanam.

Thai Pusam

A very unique festival in the chain of festivals is Thai Pusam, it is the festival of Tamil Nadu, as it falls on the full moon in malyalam language it is also called as Thaipooyam or Thaippooyam , Thai Pusam refers to a star , it comes in the month of January or February, the stories behind the festival is that Parvati gave Murugan a spear to conquer the evil demon Soorapadman.


Thai Pusam takes place in the Temples of Mariamman and Kartikeya, the devotees are suppose to walk over the trenches of the burning coal, it is a kind of custom and those people who take part with their full spirit and faith really come out with no harm at all it is unbelievable but true, a dance named Kavadi Attam performed by the devotees, it emphasize debt bondage.


A temple named Periyanayaki dedicated to Muruga forms the place for Ten Day celebration of Thai Pusam, people from very far places come here to celebrate this divine festival, as there is a tradition of walk over on coal so the chief priest of the temple along with the youth mainly they are twelve first of all got out in a procession to take bath, then they smear themselves with turmeric powder and start dancing.

Holding Kavadis on their heads they walk over a pit that is covered with burning coals and surprisingly come out unscathed, other traditions are pips piercing with with a small spear, mouth locking with metal ring, Thai Pusam is celebrated with great spirit of divinity.

Naga Panchami

A festival that comes in the Shravan month, celebrated on the Panchami,a very divine festival of Hindus called Naga Panchami it is celebrated in the most parts of India, this day has got its special significance as people pray Naga Devta also called as Cobras, the snakes are worshipped as Gods, Naga Panchami is celebrated as Lord Krishna defeated the serpent Kalia.


People visit temples and pits of the snakes, as they worship them to seek blessings and happiness for the rest of the life, silver jewellery stuffs and milk is offered to the snakes and cobras to protect them from the evil eyes, people do fast and the people enjoy themselves there is a wave of pleasure and fun every where, in the villages specially swings are put and ladies and girls enjoy with full enthusiasm.


With the divine feeling of respect towards snakes, mainly the Five Nagas worshipped on Naga Panchami they are Vasuki, Karkotaka, Taxak, Ananta and Pingala, this festival comes in the month of August, in Nepal it is known as the festivals of snakes, as people dance on the streets and residents paste the pictures of Naga above the doors as it helps them to keep the evil eye away.

Naga Panchami is a ritual of Indian people as it gives a chance to witness the ancient tradition and to get the blessings for good rain and prosperity of everyone.

Maha Shivratri

A festival that fills you with utmost divinity and makes you blessed by the powers of al-mighty, a wonderful and most awaited festival of India it is Maha Shivratri a very popular festival of India, this Festival is celebrated in the month of February or March every year as per the Hindu calender this festival falls on the 13th night or 14th night in the Krishna Paksha in the month of Maagha.


This festival is basically dedicated to Lord Shiva and grandly celebrated by Hindu community, on this day people people offer Bael or Bilva leaves to please Lord Shiva, Maha Shivratri is the festival that is very sacred and auspicious on this day people observe fast and they keep vigil all the night, there are crowds of thousands of people in the temple of Lord Shiva.

Every one chants the mantras of “OM Namah Shivay” and there is a wave of devotion that spreads everywhere ,Lord Shiva's lingam is offered by water and bael leaves , this festival is celebrated by the people with great divinity as this is the most awaited festival to make Lord Shiva happy and to get his blessings for the entire life, on this day people make traditional Bhaang that is also called “Thandai” .

As per the stories the Thandai is made because Lord Shiva drank the poison to protect human lives. .

Modhera Dance Festival

A very different kind of festival that you have had never heard about yes it is Modhera Dance Festival it takes place every year in the month of January, The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat helds the festival every year this is the festival of dance, fun and frolic, in Gujarat here is a Sun Temple that is basically dedicated to Lord Surya, the beauty and its sculpture makes it incredible its walls has got the figures of Lord Surya, that's makes it so
outstanding.


And this beautiful temple acts as backdrop at the time of Dance Festival as it is a platform of so many Indian classical dances this festival held every year in January and continues for three days, during the festival time there is a wave of enjoyment that drifts every one and it gives a feel of immense pleasure to see this classical art in the lap of beautiful temple's premises.


The reason why the Sun Temple forms a perfect backdrop because here the rays of the sun falls directly they illuminate the deity in the innermost sanctum with the main entrance and really gives a very romantic fete it makes the surroundings so mesmerising when the festival begins.Just imagine the classical dance by performers that is quite enough to catch your hold and make you stand still.

A very unique and popular festival of India, Modhera Dance Festival.

Sonepur Cattle Fair of Bihar

India is a place of varieties of festivals, it has a variety of festivals that bring so much of joy and fun in the lives of the people, another exciting festival is Sonepur Cattle Fair of Bihar, as this festival has got its historic importance also, this is the
festival that is celebrated on the very auspicious day on the full moon day of Hindu Kartik month, the city of Sonepur is located in Northern part of Bihar India.


Sonepur cattle festival is the Asia's largest festival , this festival held on the banks of river ganga, really a very popular festival of India, people take holy dip in the water of the rivers then rush to the temples for darshan as there is very famous temple of Hariharnath people got their in large crowds and they offer sweets and flowers in order to get spiritual blessings from god.

When the mela occurs there is a grand purchasing of animals and cattle's as they are sold and purchased there,this is a cattle fair that invites animals like elephants, horses, cows and camels, there is a wonderful gathering of folk artists as they perform so many cultural activities like dances along with folk music they are the
main attractions of this wonderful fair.

Janmashtami Sri Krishna Jayanti Festival

One of the most important oh Hindus, very divine day that brings them more near to the god is Janmashtami Sri Krishna Jayanti Festival, this day is celebrated as the Birth day of Lord Krishna, whole Hindu fraternity celebrate this day with full joy and divinity, as this popular day falls on the Ashtami of Bhadrapada month of Hindu calendar , really a big celebration in all over India. The festival always falls within mid-August to mid-September .


As per the beliefs, on this day there as an incarnation of lord Vishnu on the earth as he rised to make the people protected from the evils of Kans, as he was known as the cruel King of Mathura. Mother of Lord Krishna was a sister of of Kans, her name was Devaki, as Kans got the news that the eight child of Devaki is going to kill him so he became cautious,cruel Kans killed all the seven children of Devaki.


Krishna’s mother Devaki was sister of Kans. According to history it is said that Kans got news that 8th child of Devaki will kill him. After that he jailed Vasudev (husband of Devaki) and Devaki. He killed all her seven child one by one. On this day their is a beautiful decoration of Krishna Temples with wonderful lights and flowers, large number of people rush to Mathura and Gokul, to b a part of Bhajan Sandhya.

Garden Festival

You must have had heard about so many festivals but here is very different festival that you would be amazed to know is Garden Festival ,just feel the sweet fragrance and colourful bed of flowers around you,an environment that is going to fill you with great joy and fun, such a pleasurable sight , it is a very unique kind of festival that has got sweet fragrance,every year in the month of February Delhi heralds a spectacular flower show.


Pleasure and fragrance every where around, this festival is called Garden Tourism Festival it was introduced in 2004.a wonderful variety of flowers along with exotic plants are placed for a display,there is an exhibition that gives a glance of blossoming flowers and the beautiful gardens that are shining with colour, in Garden festival you will find display of plants,wonderful varieties of flowers and trees, specially designed water gardens with exotic lilies and plants.


It has got a wonderful variety of roses, bonsai, potted plants and dahlias, a wonderful place for forest lovers and those who have interest in horticulture a great plat form for them,their is also a blend of painting competition,art camps specially for budding artists along with cultural shows that are specially take place to entertain visitors, there is a participation of Various Asian countries to
encourage healthy relationship among Asian cities.

In garden festival the flowers are arranged in popular Japanese art a special type of flower arrangement that is Ikebana, along with hanging baskets, fresh plants, accessories with large variety of wonderful stuff, such a wonderful place for fun and frolic for children, here you will be able to come to know about latest
techniques of gardening.

Elephant Festival

Their are some unique and special festivals, they bring more pleasure and fun to our lives, they gives us more chances to smile here is a wonderful festival called elephant festival it is very special and important festival of Rajasthan, it is basically celebrated in Jaipur as it is the capital city of Rajasthan, you will find here a large crowd of people to be a part of this festival.


Elephant Festival is the most popular festival, it is held at Chaugan Stadium where there are a variety of programmes take place like elephant run races, elephant polo matches, and there is music and dance all around, elephants are decorated with wonderful clothes and ornaments, their trunks are painted with different colours, even their forehead, tail and feet are also ornamented.


Elephants are the centre of attraction, the festival commences with a procession of elephants along with horses and camels, accompanied by musicians and dancers, their are special elephant fights at Chaugan Stadium. As this festival is held in the month of March, on the eve of Holi, it is a one day festival, the most attractive thing that interests tourists is an Elephant fight and catwalk.

They really fascinate seeing elephants doing catwalks , that's why this festival is regarded as very unique and special festival of Rajasthan.

Bhai Dooj

Festivals reunite ourselves,as they bring us together and spread the feelings of love in the chain of festivals there is another festival that strengthens the relation of brother and sister, yes the festival is Bhai Dooj, celebration of brother and sister. This festival is celebrated with great joy and happiness in all over India as there is happiness all around.


This festivals falls after two days of Diwali, it denotes the pure relationship between brother and sister, as the name indicates that Bhai as brother and Dooj is as second day of new moon, across the world Hindus celebrate this festival with great fun and bloom, there is a story behind any festival in India as per the legends, the god of death Yama came to visit her sister Yami on this day..

She was so happy and she decorated her house with flowers and light, even she prepared so many special dishes with sweets to greet her brother, as per the custom she put Teeka or Tilak on the forehead of Yama, then in return Yama blessed Yami lifetime security and from that day it became a custom as per the announcement by Yama.

Who so ever is having Tilak on his forehead from her sister would be blessed with long life and all kinds of prosperity. So on Bhai Dooj every sister prays for the long life of her brother, the food is prepared according to the choice of brother, sisters arrange for Aarti, and brothers give them presents and blessings in return.