Akka Tadige - 21st October.

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21st October, Wednesday TRUTEEYAM

 

Akka Tadige.

 

Nowhere is the bond of brotherly-sisterly love glorified with such grandeur as in India.

Hindus celebrate this special relationship twice every year, with the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj. (Bhava Bidige and Akka Tadige)

 

We have observed how "Yama dwiteeya" is celebrated on the Second Day of Karteeka Masa,19th Oct.

 

The following text will recall us of the love and affection between brothers and sisters.

 

 

Bhai Dooj: Brother-Sister Ritual (Bhava Bidige)

 

Sisters pray for brother's protection with a spot on his forehead

 

What, When & How

After the high voltage celebrations of DeepavaLi , the festival of lights and fire-crackers, sisters all over India get ready for 'Bhai Dooj' - when sisters ceremonize their love by putting an auspicious tilak or a vermilion mark on the forehead(Northern side) of their brothers and perform an aarti of him,( feed him mouthfull of sweets- invite him by putting petals of floewers on his head) by showing him the light of the holy flame as a mark of love and protection from evil forces.

 

Sisters are lavished with gifts, goodies and blessings from their brothers.

 

 

Myths & Legends

 

Bhai Dooj is also called 'Yama Dwiteeya' as it's believed that on this day,

 

Yamaraj, visits his sister Yamuna, who puts the auspicious mark on his forehead and prays for his well being.

 

So it's held that anyone who receives a tilak from his sister on this day would never be hurled into hell.

 

According to one legend, on this day, Lord Krishna, after slaying the Narakasura demon, goes to his sister Subhadra who welcomes him the lamp, flowers and sweets, and puts the holy protective spot on her brother's forehead.

 

Bhai Phota(Bengal)

In Bengal this event is called 'Bhai Phota', which is performed by the sister who religiously fasts until she applies a 'phota' or mark with sandal wood paste on her brother's forehead, offers him sweets and gifts and prays for his long and healthy life.

 

Every brother eagerly awaits this occasion that reinforces the bond between brothers and sisters and their affectionate relationship. It's an opportunity for a good feast at the sister's place, coupled with an enthusiastic exchange of gifts, and merriment amid the resounding of conch shells in every Bengali household.

 

Underlying Significance

 

Like all other Hindu Festivals, Bhai Dooj too has got a lot to do with family ties and social attachments.

 

It serves as a good time, especially for a married girl, to get together with her own family, and share the post-Diwali glee.

 

Nowadays, sisters who are unable to meet their brothers send their tika - the spot of protection - in an envelope by post.

 

Virtual tilaks and Bhai Dooj e-cards have made it even easier for brothers and sisters, who're far away from each other, specially remember their siblings on this propitious occasion.

 

{i} Bhaghinee Thritheeya - "Akka Tadige"

 

As observed above Brothers also similarly invite them to their House, offer the best food and treat sisters with gift and express their love and affection for them , It is termed as “ Akka Tadige “

 

{ii} Some section of the people observe this day as “Ammana Chauti”

 

{iii} Normally on the village side they observe and take

meals in the name “Alli Pilli”

 

In village we see a row of houses either attached or separated called ” Salu Mane”. They clean their terrace and decorate with lime and buntings

 

The platform called “ Jagali” on the two sides to the entrance to the House, they keep two Mud pots with a small hole where in they fix Chambarthy Flower (ChenDa Hoovu or Shaamanti Hovu ) and dcorate the Jagali also.

 

They prepare a simple meal,

 

It reminds us the "BeLadingaLa oota" of olden days in " HALLi Mane " taken on the terrace in Moon light,

 

Many Kannada sanghas in Chennai used to have such moonlight dinner at the Besant Nagar Beach on Ananatana HuNNime Dina..

 

All of them join in one place, Take pot-luck - go to terrace and have food together. It is said that it would be an attracting scene to see them having food together.

 

The Last “Alli Pilli” Oota (Meals) goes with the name” Alli Keri”. The people in that lane gather and go to a temple outside the village, perform Pooja and have food together.

 

GRRRao

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