Bhai Phota Festival in Kolkata

The rituals of this festival are deeply rooted into the Bengali Society.

About Bhai Phota in Kolkata

Most of the Hindu Festivals are celebrated in order to pay homage to various Gods and Goddesses. These festivals are celebrated to commemorate birth of a God or Goddess, the marriage ceremony of a God/Goddess, or victory of divine powers over the evil ones. 

Bhai Phota is a unique Hindu Festival that conveys the strong bond shared by sisters and brothers. On this festival, sisters keep fast and they wish for the long life and prosperity of their brothers. 

This festival is celebrated two days after another Important Hindu festival, the Diwali. Bhai Phota falls in Shukla Paksha of Kartik Month of Bengali Calendar. Bhai Phota is known as Bhai Dooj in rest of India except Bengal. 

Literally Bhai means brother and Phota means ‘a mark’ in Bengali Language. The name of the festival has its origin in the rituals of this festival.

Rituals of Bhai Phota in Kolkata

On the day of Bhi Phota, sisters fast since morning. They make sandalwood paste and arrange for ‘Durba’ or tender grass shoots and paddy grains. 

Brothers are made to sit on asanas or floor mats and tilak of sandalwood paste, curd and honey is put on their forehead by the sisters. 

A lamp is lit and when sisters put tilak on the forehead of their brothers, they chant a mantra meant for this occasion. Sisters and brothers wear traditional Bengali Dresses for Bhai Phota.

If brothers are younger they get blessings from their sisters with ‘Durba’ and Paddy Grains while elder brothers bless their younger sisters with the same things. 


The mantra that sister chant during this occasion is-


While sisters put tilak on their brothers’ forehead, conch shells are blown. On this occasion traditional Bengali Breakfast and Lunch are prepared. Typical breakfast is Luchi and Aloo Dum. For lunch different types of fish are made. 

Sisters also offer Misti Doi or sweet curd to their brothers. Sister also makes Payash or kheer for their brothers. Brothers and sisters give gifts to each other after all rituals are over. 

Legends of Bhai Phota in Kolkata

Bhai Phota, one of the most important festivals of Bengali Hindus, has legends associated with it. One legend is about Lord Krishna. As per this legend, Subhadra, sister of Lord Krishna, welcomed her brother with a lamp and put a tilak on his forehead when Lord Krishna came back after killing Narkasur.

Another legend is associated with Rig Veda. Surya had twin children named Yama and Yamuna. Yama was invited by Yamuna at her house. When Yama, the God of Death, came to meet Yamuna, she prayed for prosperity, success and well being of her brother.


Some legends of this festival are also associated with Lord Mahavira and Lord Vishnu.

Modern Bhai Phota Celebrations in Kolkata

Kolkata is changing with the changing world. Nowadays celebration of Bhai Phota has changed a lot in this city. 

Brothers are no more waiting for the sweets, snacks and other dishes made by their sisters or bought from the market rather they want to celebrated this auspicious occasion in a renowned restaurant or shopping mall having lunch or dinner and/or doing shopping or watching movie at the multiplexes.

 Nowadays, paper card and e-cards are sent to the brothers on the occasion of Bhai Phota. Brothers also send online gifts to their sisters in return.  

No matter how the ways of Bhai Phota celebration have changed but the essence of this age-old remains the same and conveys the message of strong bonding between brother and sisters.