Today is “Bhai Phota” in Kolkata. Well, make that West Bengal.

It’s a charming custom where sisters (and we have lots of sisters in our extended families) call all their brothers together, feed them the choicest delicacies and anoint them with three dots on the middle of their forehead, chanting a mantra designed to keep the God of Death (Yama) away. One dot is with the paste of the sacred sandalwood tree; another with “kajol”, the Indian version of mascara, often called “kohl”; and the third is with “ghee”, or clarified butter. The perfumes make quite a heady mix. No wonder Yama decides to stay away.

All the brothers have to do is be anointed and fed. They do bring along gifts for their sisters, though that’s not compulsory. And these could range from the latest music CD to an Ipod, depending how affluent you want to show you’ve become, thanks to your sister’s good wishes. Those less musically inclined could choose from any of the wondrous knicks and knacks that seem designed to charm sisters available at your nearest shopping mall. A good time is had by all, especially the economy.

There is a variant of this ritual, called “Rakhi” celebrated mostly in North India where the sister ties a “thread of protection” around the brother’s right hand.

Are there any similar customs across the world? Where the sister protects the brother? Or the other way around?

Sumit