For the past many years, a locality in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh has been giving a new meaning to the Hindu festival of Bhai Dooj. Every year on this occasion, both Hindus and Muslims living here gather at one place and celebrate the occasion. Hindu women apply vermillion on the forehead of Muslim men, and give them sweets. The same is repeated by Muslim women.Today this tradition has become a medium to strengthen the bond between two communities. In India, Bhai Dooj has been observed for ages and has many tales associated with it. According to a popular legend in Hindu Mythology, after slaying the evil demon, Narkasur, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra, who gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers and also applied a ceremonial tilak, a vermillion mark on his forehead . That is how the the festival of Bhai Dooj was born. Even though it is a small Hindu tradition, the way it is revered by the people of the Muslim community in Kanpur has only increased its significance. Moreover, this brotherhood is not just limited to Bhai Dooj but other festivals, be it of Hindus or Muslims. Bhai Dooj is made up of two words namely Bhai meaning brother and Dooj meaning the second day after the new moon, which is a day of its celebration. Holding a special significance in the lives of a brother and sister, the occasion is celebrated two days a year. While the more famous one comes on the second day after Diwali, the other less popular one that comes a day after Holi is celebrated only by a particular community.
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