Millions of Hindus are on Wednesday celebrating Bhai Dooj, a festival that marks the strong bond between brothers and sisters.
It is celebrated two days after Diwali and is therefore called “Bhai” meaning “brother” and “Dooj” meaning “second”.
But this year, the festival is being marked three days after Diwali because of the partial solar eclipse on Tuesday that affected the lunar cycle.
Every festival in Hinduism is celebrated according to the “planetary hours”, which decide the auspicious and inauspicious times of the day.
The auspicious hours for Bhai Dooj will begin on Wednesday and last until Thursday morning.
What is the significance of Bhai Dooj?
It is believed that the festival was first celebrated by Yamraj, the God of Death, and his sister Yamuna.
Mythology says that Yamuna once invited her brother home but Yamraj could not meet her. He tried several times, and after frantic efforts, he finally met her. Yamuna welcomed her brother warmly and served him delicious food.
She also applied a tilak — the mark on forehead, a religious symbol that is also used to welcome guests.
Yamraj was overwhelmed with his sister’s love and hospitality and asked her for a blessing. Yamuna, who loved her brother, asked him to a fix one day every year when he would visit her.
Since then, it is believed that Yamraj visits Yamuna on Bhai Dooj.
How is the festival celebrated?
The festival is widely celebrated in northern, central and eastern India.
On the day, brothers often visit their sisters' homes. They are warmly welcomed by their sisters, who carry a round plate mainly consisting of the paste for tika, sweets, coconut, rice to signify prosperity, and an earthen lamp.
Then the sister applies the tika or the mark on the brother’s forehead and offer him a sweet, while wishing for his safety and prosperity.
The brother in return gives gifts, warmth and love to his sister.
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Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
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Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
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The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
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The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
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