India, Nov. 10 -- Bhai Dooj is one of the most cherished festivals celebrating the special bond between brothers and sisters. Observed on the second day of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik, the festival comes shortly after Diwali and is marked by prayers, rituals, family gatherings and the exchange of gifts.

One of the most important traditions of Bhai Dooj is the application of a tilak on a brother's forehead by his sister. While the ritual is widely followed across India, its origins are associated with an interesting story from Hindu mythology involving Lord Yama, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna.

The legend explains the religious significance of the festival and why sisters pray for their brothers' long life, ha...