Saralnama5 days before Diwali, Uttarakhand begins preparing for its unique Bhai Dooj celebration. Unlike elsewhere in India, sisters here don't apply tilak to their brothers' foreheads. Instead, they offer 'chuda' – puffed rice made from soaked paddy fried in hot oil. On Bhai Dooj, sisters place chuda on their brothers' heads and apply mustard oil with durva grass for long life and happiness. Families also worship the 'okhal' (mortar) praying for year-round abundance. Interestingly, locals believe that even Yamraj visits his sister Yamuna for chuda puja on this day. (Updated 23 Oct 2025, 19:38 IST; source: link)
Key Points
- 5 days before Diwali, Uttarakhand begins preparing for its unique Bhai Dooj celebration
- Unlike elsewhere in India, sisters here don't apply tilak to their brothers' foreheads
- Instead, they offer 'chuda' – puffed rice made from soaked paddy fried in hot oil