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New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) The festival of ‘Bhai Dooj’, symbolizing the eternal bond between brother and sister, was celebrated with deep emotion and enthusiasm across Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, not only in homes but also within the walls of jails in Shahjahanpur, Meerut and Moradabad.
At Shahjahanpur District Jail, the day began with a heart-touching sight – long queues of sisters were waiting outside the gate since early morning, eager to meet their jailed brothers. Once permitted entry, he performed sacred rituals – applying tilak on his brothers’ forehead, performing aarti and offering sweets, praying for their well-being and long life. The meeting of brothers and sisters separated by walls but united by affection brought tears to many eyes.
Jail Superintendent Mijajilal said that special arrangements have been made so that the sisters can meet their brothers comfortably.
“Festivals like Bhai Dooj help preserve human emotions and family values even inside prison,” he said, adding that the festival brings a touch of humanity in an otherwise harsh environment. The jail premises was filled with an atmosphere of love, warmth and spiritual connection.
There was also a massive celebration in Chaudhary Charan Singh District Jail in Meerut. The administration made arrangements for tents, seating and refreshments for the visiting sisters. The jail became bustling with activity from 5 a.m. as 4,000 to 5,000 sisters arrived to perform the traditional rituals. The jail superintendent said that those women prisoners whose brothers could not come to meet were not left behind – the staff themselves celebrated with them, ensuring that no one felt left out on this special day.
In Moradabad, the jail administration went a step ahead and organized the Bhai Dooj Milan ceremony amid tight security.
Jailor Alok Singh said that the slip system was started from 9 am to efficiently control the large crowd. By 1 pm, more than 700 sisters had met their brothers and applied tilak to them, the program continued till late evening. As a token of affection, the prison administration also gave Rory rice, a symbolic celebratory gift, to each visiting sister.
Meanwhile, in Kolkata, the festival was celebrated as ‘Bhai Phota’, in which sisters apply ‘moon mark’ on the forehead of their brothers, perform aarti and pray for their long life. Sweet shops, especially Maa Kali Sweets in Naktala, witnessed a huge rush as families bought the delicacies to share with their siblings.
Speaking to IANS, a local resident said, “Today is Bhai Phota. We have come to buy sweets for our brothers. Later, our sister will come to give us Phota as well.”
Bhai Dooj is one of the most important Hindu festivals. This festival celebrates the unique relationship between brothers and sisters. This day is celebrated as Bhau Beej, Bhatra Dwitiya, Bhai Dwitiya and Bhatru Dwitiya other names of Bhaiya Dooj. The sole purpose of this festival is to honor the bond between brothers and sisters. The festival of Diwali will end with Bhai Dooj.
–IANS
JK/DPB