Yama Dwitiya 2023
thedivineindia.com | Updated UTC time: 2023-10-31 04:36:29
Important information
- Yama Dwitiya 2023
- Wednesday, 15 November 2023
- Dwitiya tithi start : 14 November 2023 at 2:36 pm
- Dwitiya tithi end : 15 November 2023 at 1:47 pm
Yama Dwitiya, also known as Yam Dwitiya or Bhai Dooj, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated on the second day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Kartika. This festival typically falls two days after Diwali, which is the festival of lights. Yama Dwitiya holds special importance as it focuses on strengthening the bond between brothers and sisters.
On Yama Dwitiya, Lord Yamraj, the divine ruler of the afterlife, is revered, and along with him, Chitragupta and the Yama-Doots, who are the devoted attendants of Lord Yamraj, are also worshipped.
The main customs and traditions associated with Yama Dwitiya include:
- Sibling Bond: Yama Dwitiya primarily celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters pray for the well-being and long life of their brothers, and brothers, in turn, promise to protect their sisters and offer them gifts as a token of love and affection.
- Rituals: Sisters apply a tilak (a mark made with vermillion) on their brothers' foreheads, perform aarti (a ritual with lamps), and make sweets for their brothers. In return, brothers give gifts to their sisters, which can range from money to clothes or other tokens of affection.
- Legend of Yama and Yamuna: The festival has its roots in Hindu mythology, where it is believed that Yamraj (the god of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. Yamuna welcomed her brother with an aarti and a special meal. Touched by her love and hospitality, Yamraj granted her a boon that anyone who bathes in the Yamuna river and offers prayers to her on this day will not be troubled by the fear of death.
- Regional Variations: Yama Dwitiya is celebrated with different names and customs in various parts of India. In some regions, it is known as Bhai Dooj, while in others, it is called Bhav Bij or Bhai Tika. The core theme of celebrating the bond between siblings remains the same, but the traditions may vary.
- Feasting: Yama Dwitiya is also a day of feasting, and families come together to enjoy special meals and sweets, strengthening the sense of togetherness.
Yama Dwitiya is a beautiful festival that emphasizes the importance of love, care, and protection within the family, particularly between brothers and sisters. It is a time for expressing affection and celebrating the strong bond that exists between them.