Bhai Phota-Bhai Dooj of West Bengal
This article holds the information about Bhai Dooj , popularly known as Bhai Phota or Bhratri Dwitiya in West Bengal. You will get information about rituals of Bhai Phota, significance of the festival, Bengali shlokas of Bhai Phota in this article.
Bhai Phota or Bhai Dooj is is an eminent Hindu festival. In West Bengal Bhai Phota is known as Bhratri Dwitiya also. This festival is celebrated in West Bengal two days after the Kali Puja. This is a festival between brothers and sisters. Siblings eagerly wait for this date round the year. Sisters put tilak or phota on the forehead of their brothers with love and affection and pray for them. Sisters make the tilak or phota with vermilion, sandal paste, kumkum.Brothers give gifts to their sisters. In West Bengal, sisters religiously fast until they applies a phota or tilak on their brother's forehead. Bhai Dooj or Bhai phota is also called 'Yama Dwiteeya' in West Bengal.
Bhai Dooj also marks the end of month long festival in West Bengal which starts with Durga Puja. Bhai Dooj Shlokas in Bengali
"Bhaier kapale dilam phonta, Jamer Duare porlo kanta, Jamuna Dae Jomke phonta, Ami di amar bhaike phonta, Bhai jeno hoy lohar vata."
At the end Bhai Dooj confirms a grand lunch, normally at sister's house. Bengali sisters purchase special sweets, vegetables, fish, meat for their brothers.
Bhai Dooj or Bhai phota 2011 is on Friday, 28 October.
