A day just for brothers and sisters

Bhatri Dwitiya, which has fallen on 5th november this year, is a cultural ritual on the last day ( second day after the new moon of the hindu calendar month Kartika ) of the five-day long Diwali festival in India and could be loosely translated as brother's-sister's day - the very day when brothers are pampered with hand-cooked meals by their sisters. While the name Bhatri Dwitiya or Bhai Fota is used in eastern states ( bengal, assam, and tripura ) it is known as Bhai Bij / Bhau Beej / Bhav Bij in the states of gujarat, maharashtra, goa and karnataka. The event is commonly called Bhai Duj in north Indian states. Women who do not have a brother worship the moon instead in the states of haryana and maharashtra. The whole ceremony signifies the duty of a brother to protect his sister and the sister's blessings and prayers for well-being and long life of her brother. Sisters put Durba ( scientific name Cynodon Dactylon ) on their brothers' head, commonly known as bermuda / bahama / couch grass in western countries, and apply a red dot on their forehead by dipping their little finger ( called pinky in usa ) in wet paste of red sandalwood ( see top image - copyright acknowledged and for illustration purpose only ). It is customary to touch the feet of the elder person ( whoever is elder of the two ) at the end of the ceremony and eat sweetmeats ( Indian sweets are very unique and deserve a separate blog and the readers should kindly refrain from conjuring up images of western confectioneries ie chocolates, candies, desserts etc ) from the hand of the sister. Although not compulsory, but gifts are usually exchanged as an expression of love. I have given my ( elder ) sister this peacock ( the national bird of India ) themed jewellery set and have received a gift card from her.