INDIA. Mumbai: Bhau Beej, the fifth day of Diwali was celebrated across the country including Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa with enthusiasm.
Bhau Beej is observed on the second day of the Vikram Samvat (new moon day in the month of Kartik). It consists of two words-“Bhai”(brother) and “Dooj”(second-day post new moon day). This day is marked with different names in various parts of the country.
Bhau Beej celebrated across India
It is referred to as “Bhau Beej” in Maharashtra, Goa, and, Karnataka, while it is known as “Bhathru Dwithiya”, or “Bhau-Deej” in Bengal. In Northern India, it is known as “Bhai Dooj” while on the Eastern side of the country, it is known as “Bhai Phonta”.
In Nepal, it is known as “Bhai Tika”. On this day, the sisters invite brothers to their homes for a meal. Before the meal, a ritual is performed where the sisters apply a tikka of seven colours to the forehead of their brothers and pray for their longevity.
It is an occasion to highlight the love between brothers and sisters. On the day of Bhau Beej, sisters pray for their brothers’ long and healthy life by performing aarti.
The flame of the lamp marks the sisterly love that is supposed to protect the brother from all the obstacles in life. In return, brothers pamper their sisters by presenting them with gifts.
Politicians celebrates Bhau Bheej
While Bhau Beej was performed in various households in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, and Nagpur, politicians also joined the festival.
Eight sisters including NCP MP Supriya Sule performed an aarti on her cousin brother NCP leader Ajit Pawar at Katewadi in Baramati (Pune). NCP Chief Sharad Pawar and his sisters also celebrated the festival.
Bhau Beej was organised at the residence of MNS leader Vasant More in Pune in which his sister Rupali Patil Thombre (NCP) performed the aarti. Both exchanged best wishes. Thombre who was earlier in MNS joined the NCP a few months back.
Anganwadi sevikas (the women working in courtyard shelters, who called on the occasion of Bhau Beej on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, during his visit to Luiswadi in Thane, demanded an increase in their remuneration. The Anganwadi centres provide basic health care in Indian villages.
Over 2 lakh Anganwadi workers who are the focal point for the implementation of all the health, nutrition, and early learning initiatives under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), are stated to be still below the poverty line.
The people also celebrated Balipratipada (Padva) since it coincided with Bhau Beej on Wednesday. The women performed an aarti on their husbands. Balipratipada is celebrated in honour of the notional return of the demon king Bali to earth.
At Govind Baug in Baramati, Pratibha Pawar performed an aarti on Sharad Pawar, while Supriya Sule performed the aarti of her husband Sadanand Sule. NCP MLA Rohit Pawar and others were present.
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