Bhai Dooj traditions face decline in Jammu and Kashmir, says author
Migration, displacement, and changing social dynamics are impacting the celebration of the sibling festival in the Union Territory, according to Daily Excelsior.
The festival of Bhai Dooj, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, is seeing a decline in Jammu and Kashmir due to social changes and migration, according to a report by Daily Excelsior.
In the Jammu region, including Kathua, Samba, and Udhampur, the festival is known as Tikka or Bhai Tika. While families continue to celebrate, events have become smaller as young adults move out of the Union Territory for corporate jobs and higher education.
The displacement of Kashmiri Pandits following 1990 has also impacted traditions. Families who previously observed Bhagini Tritiya or Bhai Duj in neighborhoods across Srinagar, Anantnag, and Baramulla were scattered to Jammu, Delhi, and other locations, leading to isolated celebrations.
In border areas such as Poonch, Rajouri, Uri, and Kupwara, security issues and shelling have disrupted festivities. Additionally, many residents serving in the army, police, or border security forces are often stationed at remote posts and cannot travel home due to harsh winter weather.
To maintain the custom, some families in Jammu and Kashmir now mail ritual items like tilak, rice, and sweets to distant siblings or perform aarti via video calls.
The author, a former Deputy Librarian at BGSB University in Rajouri, suggests that for the festival to survive, it must evolve to represent a mutual pledge of solidarity between siblings rather than outdated notions of unilateral protection.