Darjeeling, Nov. 6: Warnings issued to Yamraj, the God of Death, to stay away, charmed circles to ward off the darkness of doom, sweets, prayers for prosperity and promises to keep a bond of love. All that, and a tika on the forehead, was what the brothers got on Bhai Tika.

Keeping with the traditions, the womenfolk started the ceremony by walking a circular path, where brothers form the nucleus, three times. As they walk on the boundary, they wet their path with water from a kalash (vessel), drawing an invisible magic circle to ward off death.

“The water boundary signifies protection from the death,” said Madhu Bora, an elderly resident of Darjeeling. “After performing the Pradakshina, a walnut that is supposed to symbolise the head of Yamraj, is cracked outside the head. This is done to protect the brother’s life from doom,” she added.

After the main ceremony a tika is applied on the forehead by the sisters. This is followed by a feast, which contains the best of traditional dishes. The brothers, in turn, present gifts, formally ending the Bhai Tika celebrations. While most Nepali communities celebrate Bhai Tika this way, the Newars, a sub-community within the Nepali community, have a different way of celebrating this particular day. The customs are a bit different from those of the other Nepali communities.

“We still stick too our traditional way even though the customs of the festival have undergone a slight change. In the past, the Newari community used to celebrate Bhai Tika as grandly as a marriage ceremony,” said Suraj Shrestha, a Newar. Even today, the community puts up mandaps of different colours for each brother. The size of each mandap is, of course, no longer as grand as it used to be. The mandaps are decorated elaborately, sometimes showing intricate and innovative designs, complete with rangolis and garlands woven with marigold and khoi (rice puffs).

After the colourful tikas are put in place, a curd-based drink is offered to the brothers. A traditional dish prepared from ginger, garlic, soyabean, eggs and dry prawns is served.

The Bhai Tika also ends the Tihar festival, which is celebrated for five days.

in the hills. Functions, which often host musical soirées, continue for a fortnight.