Bihar Sisters Curse Brothers in Bizarre Bhaidooj Ritual

As the country celebrates the festival of Bhaidooj, wishing for their brothers' long life and good health, a unique ritual called Godhan is observed in parts of Bihar. In this ritual, sisters playfully curse their brothers, even pricking their tongues with sharp sticks, to symbolically ward off death and misfortune. This is followed by the sisters offering their brothers a special treat of hard bajri (pearl millet) and chana (chickpeas), which are believed to represent strength and resilience.

The Godhan ritual is rooted in a mythological legend involving Yama, the god of death, and his sister Yami. By "cursing" their brothers, similar to Yami's protective power over Yama, the sisters are symbolically protecting their brothers from untimely death and misfortunes. The ritual culminates in the sisters blessing their brothers and feeding them the nutritious bajri and chana, strengthening the bond between siblings.

This strange tradition of "wishing for the brother's death" is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a way to remove the fear of death and reinforce mental and spiritual toughness against mortality and misfortunes. The Godhan ritual is a unique and intriguing part of Bihar's cultural heritage, showcasing the deep-rooted beliefs and traditions that shape the region's celebrations of Bhaidooj.