Day 5: Bhai Duj, Vishwakarma Puja
The festival ends with Bhai Duj (भाई दूज; brother's day) celebrating the bond between a brother and sister. Unlike Raksha Bandhan (रक्षाबंधन), another Hindu festival that honours the sibling bond, brothers travel to meet their sisters on this day. To honour traditions, women perform a puja for the wellness and safety of their brothers.
Legend says that Yama's sister, Yamuna, welcomed him with a tilak (तिलक; a sacred mark on the forehead). Others interpret the origin story as the day Krishna arrived at his sister's place after defeating the demon, Narakasura. In both stories, the bond between a brother and sister is celebrated over a new hopeful beginning.
In other parts of India, some Hindu and Sikh communities celebrate the fifth day as the day of the Vishwakarma puja (विश्वकर्मा पूजा). As the deity of architecture, textile work, and crafts trades, prayers are offered to Vishwakarma in hopes of a better and more prosperous new business year.
The family-oriented day marks the end of the eventful five-day festival, Diwali.