Kolkata, Nov 16 (UNI) Bengal celebrated ‘Bhai Phonta’ Brother’s Day on Monday amid
traditional fervour as Sisters prayed for their brothers’ well-being and renewed bonds of
sibling love.
Dressed in ethnic wear sisters applied ‘teekaa’ or ‘phonta’ on their brothers’ foreheads
offered them sweets and received gifts in exchange.
Brothers with foreheads dotted with sandalwood paste vermillion and rice grains clicked
selfies to capture the moment.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to social media to wish denizens on
the occasion.
“Greetings to all my brothers and sisters on the occasion of Bhai Phonta & Bhai Dooj,”
Ms Banerjee tweeted.
In Bengal, the festival of siblings is popularly known as Bhai Phonta. It is celebrated with
grandeur on the second day after the Kali Puja across the state. The auspicious day is
marked to commemorate the bond between siblings that has evolved over time. Unlike other
states, the festivities of Bengalis on the day of Bhai Phonta are quite different.
Every Bengali household commences the festival with the sound of the conch shells in the
morning. On this day, a sister invites her brother and the rest of the family members at her
house to perform the ritual. After the entire family gathers in the centre of the house, she
makes her brother sit on a small cotton mattress known as ‘Asana’ among Bengalis.
Later, she applies tilak or phonta made from chandan, kajal, and dahi on her brother’s
forehead while chanting prayers for his well-being.
After the phonta-applying ceremony, she showers him with sweets and gifts. As per Bhai
Phonta in Bengali traditions, brother seeks blessing from his sister by touching her feet. In
return, she gives him grains of rice and durba (grass blades). Post that, every brother
surprises his sisters with Bhai Phota presents.
Once the ceremonies of the Bhai Phonta festival is over, the entire family gathers together
and continues the celebrations with great enthusiasm. They come together and sing, dance,
and play several games. The merriment is doubled with a wholesome lunch and scrumptious
snacks.
In a nutshell, Bhai Phota is a much-awaited festival in the state of Bengal. The entire purpose
of the festival is to express genuine love and affection towards siblings.
UNI BM SJC