Bhatri Ditya

Bhatri Ditya is another name of the famous Hindu festival of Bhaiyya Dooj. Bhatri Ditya is a festival that strengthens the beautiful bond shared between a brother and a sister. Festival of Bhatri Ditya is considered a part of Diwali celebrations as it falls on the fifth and last day of overall Diwali celebrations in the Hindu month of Kartik (October - November). ‘Ditya’ in the term ‘Bhatri Ditya’ signifies that the festival falls on the second day after new moon. ‘Bhatri’, of course, stands for the brother. Following the ancient tradition sisters pray for their brother’s long and happy life on Bhatri Ditya. A spirit of harmony and bonhomie prevail as the entire family reunite on the auspicious occasion.

Bhatri Ditya Ceremony
On Bhatri Ditya day brothers visit their sisters to share a meal with them. Sisters welcome their brothers with lot of warmth and affection. They perform arti of their brothers and apply a red teeka of roli (vermilion), kesar (saffron) and rice on their brother's forehead as a mark of their love and protection. A sweet is also offered as a part of the tradition. These Bhatri Ditya ceremony are symbolic of sisters sincerest prayers to the divine for brother’s long and prosperous life. Brother too bless their sister and lavish gifts and goodies on them. An unspoken agreement to continue the beautiful tradition and maintain a cordial relationship between them is also made on the day.

Bhatri Ditya Legend
Festival of Bhatri Ditya find its root in the legend of Yamraj, hence it is also called Yama Ditya by many. Story goes that Yama Raja, the Hindu mythological god of Death, visited his twin-sister Yami or Yamuna on the Ditya Day after a long period of separation. Yami gave a warm welcome to his brother. She applied tilak on Yama’s forehead, performed arti on him and treated him with a sumptuous meal. Yama was delighted with the reception meted out to him and he declared that brothers who share a meal with their sisters on the auspicious ‘Dooj’ day will never be hurled to hell. And since then the tradition of celebrating Bhatri Ditya has been religiously carried forward by brothers and sisters in India. Brothers take bath in the Yamuna river and visit their sisters place for the Bhatri Ditya ceremony.

People consider it important to worship Lord Yama on Bhatri Ditya. Kayastha community in Uttar Pradesh worship their clan deity, Chitraguptha, the mythical accountant of Dharam Raja, who keeps a record of births and deaths. Some sisters also worship berry trees on the occasion.

Bhatri Ditya Celebrations
Bhatri Ditya is an eagerly awaited festival. Brothers and sisters wait for the arrival of beautiful festival of Bhatri Ditya with lot of enthusiasm. The festival is seen as a time for family reunion as brothers and sisters unite on this day. Relatives are also invited in several families to share enjoyment and the best of food. Exchange of gifts and sweets as a token of love further strengthens the brother – sister bond and heightens the spirit of the festival.

Related links