Sunday night turned out to be another cracker filled night. It definitely did not compare to Saturday night, but there were still a few boomers in the mix.

Today is another festival day, a brother sister day. The sister gives the brother a teeka, the red ink dot on the forehead and adds some rice and oil to it, and the brother gives the sister an expensive gift.

From a Yahoo article: “It's the traditional bond of brother-sister love. Bhai dooj was celebrated across India today. Known by different names in various parts of the country, Bhai dooj is celebrated on the second day after the new-moon (Amavasya), or Diwali day. This day is also the third day of the Kartik month, according to the Hindu calendar.
Though Bhai dooj is a traditionally a brother's pledge to 'protect' his sister while she prays for his long life, there are several legends on the origins of this celebration.
The most common legend is the one of Yamraj's (the God of death) visit to his sister Yami. Yami applied a special tilak on his forehead. Yamraj became so happy that he announced a tilak applied by a sister to her brother, would make the brother immortal.
Another legend is based on Lord Krishna. After killing the devil Narkasur, Lord Krishna paid a visit to his sister Subhadra on the second day after the new-moon day, or the dooj day. Subhadra greeted her heroic brother by applying a tilak on his forehead. Since then, Subhadra's acknowledgment and gratitude for the heroic brother has been celebrated as Bhai dooj.
The tradition of the teeka: The teeka which a sister applies on her brother's forehead symbolises respect and faith in his ability to be the protector. Through the teeka, the sister prays for her brother's good health and long life. The unbroken rice grains used in the teeka represent inner peace and commitment. The teeka is also contains vermilion, sandal paste, roli or kumkum (red turmeric).

Different names:
Bhai phota among Bengalis:
Among Bengalis, the sister fasts till the ritual is complete. The composition of the tilak differs slightly among Bengalis—it is ghee, sandalwood (chandan) paste and kaajal. The elder of the brother and sister blesses the younger one with rice and durba, a type of grass. Brothers and sisters then feed each other sweets.
Bhav Bij / Bhaubeej among Marathis:
Bhai dooj is popularly known as Bhav Bij or Bhaubeej in Maharashtra and Goa. The highlight of this celebration is the delicious Basundi Poori or Shrikhand Poori.
Bihar's unique Bhai Dooj:
This may sound incredible, but in Bihar the celebration begins with sisters actually cursing their brothers. They then ask for forgiveness and are blessed by their brothers. A few grains of bajri with water are served to brothers before sweets are served.
Yamadwitheya:
In some parts of North India, Bhai dooj is known as Yamadwitheya, associated with the popular legend of Yamraj, the God of death.”




Here is an email that someone sent to me. I get most of them now.
You know you are in Delhi
When you have honed your negotiation skills over the years by never ending haggling with the autowallahs and rickshawallahs over amount as minuscule as 1 rupee.
When you know more about your neighbors rather than your own family. And you see that your neighbors remember your aunt’s son-in-law’s birthday.
When bus passes and Metro cards become a currency.
When community buying becomes the norm and vegetable seller takes the place of the chaupal where ladies gathers to share gossip.
When U special buses are followed by bikes. And cars.
When any one wearing a skirt is stared at by everyone. Even the person wearing the skirt starts staring himself/herself.
When autowallahs simply refuse to go by meter. And they dare you to do anything about it.
When people drive as if the road is their personal property and they can do anything they want to on those roads. And they mean it.
When you have to bribe for any small government work. And to even pee.
When everyone knows someone big and throws attitude because they know someone.
When you spot a chole kulche bicycle in every nook and corner of the city.
When hanging from DTCs buses becomes a norm and your day feels incomplete without it.
When you use a student bus pass even after you have graduated from college 5 years ago. And you are ready to go any lengths to get it renewed.
When you boast of awesome infrastructure the city has all the while screaming profanities at Sheila Dikshit and Congress govt.
When spotting a celebrity adds to your coolness factor. And you weave stories around it and repeat them at every speaking opportunity.
When you buy and sell books at Nai Sarak and hope to spot girls doing the same thing, strike a conversation and leave as a couple.
When giving seats to old women and kids in Delhi Metro becomes a fashion statement. And then curtly asking them to hold your bags, suitcases etc.
When sealing and policing takes a new meaning altogether. Shops are sealed, de-sealed and sealed again.
When there is some sort of strike, procession, movement is being staged at Jantar Mantar and you start assuming that it was build to host these rather than tell time.
I love Delhi and there is no city like Delhi. The tone might sound derogatory but trust me its not meant to be like that.