Gangtok : Tika or Bhai Tihar was celebrated all over India today. On this day, sisters pray for long lives of their brothers.
Ms Dil Maya Sharma (70) said: “I am waiting for my brother from early morning to put tika on his forehead, but he has not come yet. I have to wait till dusk.” According to tradition, sisters have to fast till they put tika on the forehead of their brothers. “This occasion is very precious to me,” she added.
Brothers visit their sisters’ houses for Bhai tika. “I have eight married sisters. So, I have to visit all of them which is quite impossible. But I will manage it somehow, since I do not want to disappoint them,” said Mr Chandra Prakash Karki. I booked a cab for the whole day to visit all my sisters."
On this occasion, sisters offer tika to their brothers along with makhamali or khoi garlands. In return, brothers present gifts to their sisters. The custom of bhai tika is prevalent not only in Sikkim, but is celebrated by Nepali-speaking people throughout the country, in places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik, Siliguri, Dooars, Assam and Dheradun.
According to legend, bhai tika dates back a long time ago. When a sister was about to put tika on her brother's forehead, yamraj (the God of life and death) suddenly appeared. He asked the brother to come away with him as his life on earth was over. The sister requested the yamraj to wait till the ritual of bhai tika was over. She also said that the god of death can only take away her brother when the garland of makhmali put round her brother’s neck becomes dry. So the yamraj waited for a long time, but the garland remained as fresh as ever. Ultimately he accepted defeat and left. According to ritual, sisters make a circle inside which brothers have to stand. They then offer pujas and put garlands of makhmali or khoi round the neck of their brothers. The festival marks the existence of deep affection between brothers and sisters.
Source: The Statesman
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