Bhai Dooj marks the end of Diwali and celebrates the sacred bond of love, blessings, and protection between brothers and sisters.
The festival of Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhai Tika, Bhau Beej, or Yama Dwitiya, will be celebrated on Thursday, October 23, 2025. A special day in Indian tradition, Bhai Dooj represents the everlasting bond, love, and trust of siblings. Occurring just after Diwali, Bhai Dooj signifies the last day of Diwali and is celebrated by families in the cohesion of love, blessings, and protection.
Date, Time, and Auspicious Muhurat
According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the Dwitiya Tithi (second lunar day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the month of Kartik. In 2025, the Dwitiya Tithi begins on October 22nd at 8:16 PM and ends on October 23rd at 10:46 PM, according to the Panchang. The Tilak Muhurat, which is the best time to have the main ritual, is from 1:13 PM to 3:28 PM on October 23rd.
Bhai Dooj was celebrated on November 3, 2024, and because there are lunar cycles on which Hindu festivals are based, the dates are not fixed every year. Each year, the date of Bhai Dooj varies with its unique timing and charm across different regions of India.
The Mythological and Historical Origins
Bhai Dooj is rooted in several ancient Hindu legends that reflect love, protection, and blessings between siblings.
One of the most well-known stories is about Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra. After Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura, he visited Subhadra, who welcomed him with sweets, flowers, and a warm tilak on his forehead. This act of affection later evolved into the custom that sisters follow today applying tilak to their brothers and praying for their well-being.
Another popular legend tells the story of Yama, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna. When Yama visited her, Yamuna performed an aarti, applied tilak, and prayed for his happiness. In return, Yama blessed her and declared that any brother who receives a tilak from his sister on this day would be protected from evil and early death. Because of this, Bhai Dooj is also known as Yama Dwitiya.
Beyond mythology, the festival carries spiritual meaning too. The tilak represents not only a blessing but also a symbol of protection and goodwill, expressing the sister’s prayer for her brother’s long life and the brother’s vow to always safeguard her.
Significance and Cultural Importance
Bhai Dooj is more than a ceremonial observance: it is an expression of familial connection, love, and responsibility. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers’ health, success, and happiness, while brothers vow to provide their sisters with lifelong support and protection. The festival highlights the moral and emotional strength of lifelong bonds in the family.
The day also signifies the conclusion of the five-day Diwali celebration and brings a fitting close to one of India’s best-loved festivals. It is a reminder to people that the heart of Diwali is not found in lights, diyas, and fireworks, but in human connection, human care, and a sense of togetherness. Bhai Dooj builds values of trust, honor, and gratefulness in families as well as in society.
Traditional Rituals and Customs
While the rituals are different from one state to the next, the soul of Bhai Dooj is essentially the same in all circles. Sisters will invite their brothers to their homes and prepare a meal filled with the brothers’ favorite food and sweets. The basic ritual starts when the sister places a tilak, or sacred mark of vermillion (kumkum), sandalwood paste, turmeric, or a mixture of rice and vermillion on her brother’s forehead. Following the tilak, the sister performs an aarti by waving a lamp in front of him and praying for his long and happy life.
Following this, brothers give gifts or money to their sisters as a token of appreciation and love, while sisters offer sweets and blessings in return. The ritual reflects mutual respect, affection, and gratitude.
Regional Variations in Celebration
Different regions of India celebrate Bhai Dooj with their own traditions. In West Bengal, it is called Bhai Phonta, where sisters apply a special “phonta” tilak and serve delicious sweets to their brothers. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, the festival is known as Bhau Beej or Bhav Bij, and women who do not have brothers worship the moon as a symbolic protector. In Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, a dry coconut (gola) is tied and used during the aarti ritual as part of local customs.
In Nepal, the festival takes on the name Bhai Tika or Bhai Tihar, where sisters use a seven-colored tilak and decorate their brothers with Gomphrena flower garlands while performing prayers. In some regions, sisters fast until the ceremony, while others engage in playful rituals meant to ward off evil and strengthen the bond between siblings.
Why Bhai Dooj Is Celebrated
The Bhai Dooj festival serves a purpose that transcends religious beliefs or practices. It embodies faith, duty, and everlasting love between brothers and sisters. The tilak sister applies serves as a spiritual barrier that wishes her brother peace, fortune, and a long life. The brother, in turn, pledges to protect her from all dangers and be there for her throughout all of life’s current challenges.
Specifically, Bhai Dooj reminds us that all humans are in fact connected as children of one divine source; thus, the love of a brother and sister is an expression of universal harmony. In this sense, the observance rests on the belief that true strength lies in our relationships and the blessings we give and receive to and from one another.
Relevance to Modern-Day and the Observance
Even in this busy and modern world we live in today, Bhai Dooj has continued to carry great meaning. Families that live in different cities or countries often find a way to get back together or at least celebrate together through video or textile to ensure the essence of the festival is never lost. Many sisters send gifts or tilak kits by peaceful mail or postal service, brothers surprise sisters with presents, and so on, all while keeping the emotional connection intact even if it is not done together.
In India, the government and schools often align holidays to include Bhai Dooj within the Diwali vacation week so families can celebrate together. This year, Delhi has also introduced a special Bhai Dooj gift for women the launch of the Pink Card, offering lifetime free bus travel, symbolizing care, safety, and respect for women.
The End of Diwali and the Celebration of Togetherness
Bhai Dooj is not just an extension of Diwali it is a celebration of love, gratitude, and emotional connection. It reminds us that festivals are not only about rituals but also about strengthening bonds that make life meaningful.
As October 23, 2025, approaches, homes across India will once again glow with diyas, echo with laughter, and fill with the fragrance of sweets. From the divine affection of Krishna and Subhadra to the eternal promise of Yamuna and Yama, Bhai Dooj continues to inspire millions with its message of protection, affection, and unity.
This beautiful festival remains a timeless reminder that the true light of Diwali shines brightest in the love shared between a brother and a sister.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- When will Bhai Dooj be celebrated in 2025?
Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The Dwitiya Tithi begins on October 22 at 8:16 PM and ends on October 23 at 10:46 PM.
- What is the significance of Bhai Dooj?
Bhai Dooj signifies the strong bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers’ long lives, and brothers vow to protect their sisters.
- Why is Bhai Dooj also called Yama Dwitiya?
It is called Yama Dwitiya because of the legend of Yamuna and Yama, where the god of death visited his sister, and she performed a tilak ceremony for his well-being.
- How is Bhai Dooj different from Raksha Bandhan?
While both celebrate sibling love, Rakhi involves tying a thread of protection by the sister, whereas Bhai Dooj focuses on the tilak ceremony, prayer, and festive meal shared by siblings.
- What are the common rituals performed on Bhai Dooj?
Sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, perform aarti, offer sweets, and pray for their health and prosperity. In return, brothers give gifts and promise lifelong support.
