KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 15

The 'Bhardutiya' is being celebrated in Madhes today, also known as Bhatridutiya, sharing some similarities with Bhai Tika.

Like Bhai Tika, sisters in Madhes offer colorful tika and garlands to their brothers on this day, and in return, the brothers provide money and gifts to their sisters. Brothers visit their sisters' homes to receive tika, and delicious foods are prepared and enjoyed at the sisters' homes on this occasion.

Sisters make their homes neat and tidy, creating a Maithili sketch called 'Arpin' with clay in the courtyard.

The Arpin is adorned with vermillion drips. Unlike Bhai Tika, where sisters go around the brothers with an oil trail while worshiping them, on this day, sisters go around the brothers with a water trail while the brothers are seated on the anointed slat with Arpin.

The sisters then apply colorful tika to the foreheads of their brothers and wish them longevity. The day is also regarded as the beginning of the Chhath festival.