The festival of Bhai Dooj is not merely a celebration of the love and trust shared between a brother and a sister; it is also rooted in a mythological tradition linked to Yamraj, the God of Death. Every year, Bhai Dooj is observed on the second day (Dwitiya) of the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar month of Kartika; it is also known as 'Yam Dwitiya'.

According to tradition, it was on this very day that Yamuna, the sister of Yamraj, invited her brother to her home, applied a *tilak* on his forehead, and served him a meal. Ever since, on the occasion of Bhai Dooj, sisters apply a *tilak* (or *tika*) on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long lives.

Furthermore, bathing in the Yamuna River on this day is considered especially auspicious. It is believed that doing so liberates a person from the fear of Yamraj and removes the dread of an untimely death. Let us explore why bathing in the Yamuna River is considered so significant on this day.

**Yamuna’s Invitation to Yamraj**
According to mythology, Yamraj and Yamuna—the son and daughter of the Sun God (Surya Dev) and his wife Sangya—were siblings who shared a deep bond of love. Yamuna wished for her brother, Yamraj, to visit her home and partake in a meal prepared by her. Although she invited him several times, Yamraj was unable to visit due to his various commitments. Finally, on the second day of the waxing phase of the month of Kartika, Yamraj arrived at his sister Yamuna’s home.

Overjoyed to see her brother, Yamuna welcomed him with great respect, applied a *tilak* on his forehead, and lovingly served him a meal. Touched by his sister’s affection, Yamraj granted a boon: any brother who partakes in a meal at his sister’s home on the day of 'Yam Dwitiya' shall be freed from the fear of an untimely death.

**The Boon Requested by Yamuna**
Yamuna also sought another boon from her brother, Yamraj: that anyone who bathes in the Yamuna River on the day of Bhai Dooj should never be troubled by the fear of Yam (the God of Death). Moreover, the fear of an untimely death is dispelled from one's life. It is believed that anyone who bathes in the Yamuna River on the day of 'Yam Dwitiya' is freed from any fear associated with Yamraj (the God of Death).

Such an individual becomes remarkably fearless and is no longer afraid of death. Furthermore, those who bathe in the Yamuna River on this day are spared from life's troubles, and prosperity remains with them.

Driven by this religious belief—and the boon granted through the unbreakable bond between Yam and Yamuna—thousands of devotees still gather at the banks of the Yamuna on the day of 'Bhai Dooj'. On this occasion, sisters pray for their brothers, seeking to remove the fear of an untimely death and wishing for their long lives.

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