AGARTALA, Nov 9 (TIWN): Across Tripura, Bhai Phota was celebrated with full enthusiasm. At Anandamarg Asram children participated in Bhai Phota festival and exchanged love and blessing.

House-to-house this auspicious occasion was celebrated today with full devotion, where sisters prayed for their brothers' long lives. Bhai Phota also known as Bhai Dooj, Bhau-Beej, Bhai Tika, and Bhai Phota is a festival celebrated by Hindus in India with great zeal on the last day of the five-day-long Diwali festival. This is the second day of the bright fortnight or Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month of Kartika.

The celebrations of this day are similar to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. This festival celebrates the beauty of the eternal bond of love and affection between a brother and a sister. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and happy lives by performing the Tika ceremony as a mark of love and protection from evil forces. The custom is also called 'Bhagini Hastha Bhojanam', which means 'Having meal with the sister'. In return, sister receives her brothers' protection, care and affection. Bhai duj day called yam dwitiya marks the visit of Lord Yama (god of death) to the house of his sister who drew an auspicious mark on his forehead for his power, protection and welfare. Although Bhaiya Dooj is celebrated by using different methods across the country, but the significance of the festival remains same throughout, as the festival of Bhai Dooj strengthens the enduring bond of brother and sister.

However, on the occasion of Bhai Phota, brothers and sisters throng into various gift shops, saree shops, sweet shop to buy best thing for her/his brother or sister. On these occasions, sisters also prepare various delicious dishes for their brothers.  As a result the price of vegetables, meat, fish and other stationery items rose into highest peak. But, neglecting the highest price, everyone tries to select the best for their loved ones.