Bhai Phota Kolkata

Overview of Bhai Phota, Kolkata- Bhai Phota, Kolkata is a Bengali social gathering which has attained the status of a festival due to its immense popularity. Sisters look forward to celebrating this day. The month long festive season starting with Mahalaya ends with Bhai Phota. It’s a common custom to dress up in a sari during Bhai Phota. The bond of love and friendship becomes stronger every year with the celebration of BhaiPhota. A major event among the Bengalis, Bhai Phota is celebrated in a grand manner. Brothers buy gifts for their sisters and other family members and traditional delicacies are prepared at home. An elaborate ceremony of rituals follows where sisters apply ‘phota’ or a dab of sandalwood paste on her brother’s forehead and pray to god so that their brothers live happily ever after. A special Mantra is chanted by sisters to keep Yama , the God of Death away. Popularly known as Bhai Duj in the North, Bhau Bij in the west and Bhai Phonta in the East, especially in West Bengal this event is an integral part of traditional Bengali culture. The bond of love and friendship shared by brothers and sisters becomes all the more eloquent on this special occasion of Bhai Phota in Kolkata. The cherished moments of joyous celebration surrounding the special occasion of Bhai Phota in Kolkata mean a lot to the Bengali sisters and brothers.

It may be mentioned here, that Bhai Phota in Kolkata is very similar to the Rakhi ritual which is widely celebrated in North India where the sister ties a thread around the brother’s right hand to protect him against all dangers.

So when on a trip to Kolkata during Bhai Phota try and wangle an invitation to a Bengali house on this day if you can and try out the mouthwatering dishes prepared on this very special occasion of Bhai Phota.