West Bengal today celebrated 'Bhai Phota' amid much fervour with sisters applying 'tilak' or 'teeka' on the forehead of brothers.
Sisters thronged shops for 'misti' as sweetmakers took the chance to offer innovative special sweets such as Chocolate Sandesh, Vino Sandesh, Kolaveri Sandesh, Indrani, Rasmadhuri and Triveni to mark the special occasion of sister-brother bondage.
Sisters in return were showered with gifts, goodies and blessings from their brothers.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too greeted people 'Subh Bhai Duj' on this occasion.
"Subh Bhai Duj k Subha absar pe sabhi ko hardik Subhokamnaye," (hearty welcome on the auspicious occasion of brother's day) Banerjee posted on the wall of her Facebook account.
Bengal superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee took time out from his busy schedule for 'Bhai Phonta' from sister Pallavi. Actor Paoli Dam's gave phota to a childhood good friend, whom 'The Hate Story' star, considered her brother.
Among other celebrities, Arjuna Awardee archer Rahul Banerjee took bhai phonta from his sister Olympian archer Dola Banerjee.
Bhai Phonta or Bhai Duj, closely related to the much-celebrated 'Raksha Bandhan', is celebrated on the second day after Diwali on 'Shukla Paksha Dwitiya' which falls in the month of Kartik. 'Dwitiya' means 'Duj' or the second day after the new moon.
Bhai Duj is popular in different regions with different names. In north India it is known as 'Bhai-Duj', as 'Bhav-Bij' in Maharashtra and as 'Bhai-Phonta' in Bengal.
The tilak on the forehead is considered to be applied to guard the brother against any danger.
