Rakshabandhan is one of the famous festivals in India. It is centered around the tying of a thread, talisman, or amulet on the wrist as a form of ritual protection. The protection is offered principally by sisters to brothers, but also by priests to patrons, and sometimes by individuals to real or potential benefactors.
Much like Rakshabandhan, Bhai Dooj aka Bhai Phonta is widely celebrated by Bengalis in India. Bhai Dooj is also known as Bhai Beej, Bhai Teeka or Bhai Phonta in some places. It is celebrated during the Diwali or Tihar festival. It is a festival that showcases the strong bond in a brother-sister relationship after Raksha Bandhan.
The celebrations of this day are similar to the festival of Rakshabandhan. On this day, brothers get gifts from sisters. In the southern part of the country, the day is celebrated as Yama Dwitiya. The day is celebrated on the second day after Diwali wherein sisters pray for the well being a long life of their brothers and exchange gifts.
There are various traditions and beliefs attached to this Hindu festival and is celeb
rated accordingly. But part of the celebrations is also a set of small rituals like putting a tilak on the forehead of the brother and blessing the younger ones.
This year, Bhai Dooj was celebrated on October 21 across the country. Meanwhile, photos of a differently-abled sister blessing her brother with her feet are going viral. The photos of the ritual have left everyone teary-eyed on social media.
An elder sister went an extra mile to make sure loved brother receives her blessings and love. The sister, who is confined to a wheelchair, applied the Chandan tilak on her younger brother’s forehead with her little toe instead of hands. And to bless him, she extended her feet.
The photos taken at Hooghly-Chuchura, in Bengal, shows the elder sister brimming with joy as other try hard to stop their tears. The heartwarming photos of the ceremony were shared by the brother, Samrat Basu on Facebook and since then has been going viral.
With nearly 15,000 shares and counting, this post has left many people inspired and it has been deemed as the “Best Bhai Phonta Picture of the year.” From wishing the girl speedy recovery to lauding the sibling for the amazing bond, people have been moved by the post.