Why Bajri and raw chana is offered to brothers in Bihar on Bhaidooj: The festival where sisters wish for their brother's death

While the festival of Bhaidooj is celebrated to wish for the brother's long life, health and happiness, there’s one age-old tradition in some parts of Bihar, where sisters wish for their brother’s death, and all this is a part of a ritual! Here’s all you need to know about the strange ritual of Bihar, and the untold story behind this practice.

Why sisters curse their brothers
This may sound bizarre, but sisters wish for their brother’s death in this ritual, and pot that they prick their tongue with a sharp stick, which is followed by seeking forgiveness for this act and after this the sisters feed their brother with two foods that are believed to make them healthy and strong. This ritual is known as Godhan, here’s all you need to know about it?




What is Godhan?
On the auspicious occasion of Bhaidooj, where the entire country seeks blessing of long life and good health of their brothers, there’s one bizarre ritual that is woven in culture and beliefs. Well, it is the festival of Godhan, which is celebrated and followed in some parts of Bihar. Bhaidooj holds special significance through a practice called Godhan Puja, which involves symbolic offerings and rituals centered around strengthening the brother and wishing for his good health after cursing him for bad health and even death, which followed by pricing the tongue. This ritual is followed by a special treat made on that day!


Why is Bajri and hard channa offered to the brothers
Unlike other states and customs, where sweets are made to celebrate the big festival, but in Bihar sisters give their brothers a bowl of Bajri (pearl millet) and hard raw chana (chickpeas). It is believed that this offering carries a deep symbolic meaning. As per traditions, bajri and raw chana are hard and tough, which represents strength and resilience. In fact, this tradition stems from the belief that feeding these to their brothers will make them strong like thunder and as enduring as the grains. It is also believed that the sister’s act gives more power and strength to brothers to overcome the difficulties and stay robust throughout life.



Mythological relevance
Sisters cursing their brothers playfully curse their brothers before blessing them. They mostly scold and criticize their brothers, sometimes even pricking their tongues with thorns to signify regret and remorse. This act is said to remove the fear of death from the brothers, reinforcing mental and spiritual toughness against mortality and misfortunes. The ritual is believed to be rooted in the mythological legend involving Yama, the god of death, and his sister Yami who by “cursing” their brother (akin to Yami’s protective power over Yama), sisters symbolically protect their brothers from untimely death. This strange"wishing for their brother’s death" in the way of folk songs and folklore essentially means wishing protection from death’s fear and harm.

All about rituals
In this Godhan Puja, it starts with crafting sculptures from cows during, which is a symbolic act expressing sanctity and community bonding. These sculptures, often representing the adversaries or enemies, are ceremoniously crushed by the women, symbolizing the destruction of evil forces threatening their brothers’ well-being. The ritual culminates in blessings and the feeding of bajri and chana, which symbolize nutritional strength and the enduring bond between siblings.