Sisters tie tilak on jailed brothers as Bhai Dooj ends five-day Deepotsav

Bhai Dooj was celebrated across the district on Wednesday with devotion, enthusiasm and affection. The festival, which comes after Deepavali, symbolises the sacred bond between brothers and sisters, and with it the five-day festival of lights came to a close.

From morning, sisters were seen applying tilak on their brothers' foreheads, with plates decorated with roli, rice and a lamp. They prayed for their brothers' bright future, good health and long life. The brothers in turn promised to protect their sisters and to cherish them. Scenes of brothers and sisters meeting and showing their love were seen through the day in the city and in villages.

Bhai Dooj is also called Yama Dwitiya. According to religious belief, two days after Deepavali, Yamraj visited his sister Yami, also known as Yamuna. Yami applied tilak on his forehead and prayed for his long life. It is said that the tradition of sisters applying tilak on their brothers on this day and wishing them prosperity, good fortune and safety has continued since then.

Given the importance of the festival, the jail department also made special arrangements so that brothers lodged in jail could meet their sisters and observe the occasion. Sisters who came to meet them applied tilak on the brothers in jail and performed their aarti. Both brothers and sisters appeared emotional and kept embracing one another.