Bhai Dooj, also known by various regional names such as Bhai Tika, Bhaubeej, Bhai Beej, Bhai Phonta, and Bhratri Dwitiya, is a cherished Hindu festival that honors and celebrates the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. This joyous occasion is marked by love, respect, and the reaffirmation of sibling ties. In 2025, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Thursday, 23 October 2025, which falls on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the auspicious Kartika month, according to both the Vikram Samvat and Shalivahana Shaka Hindu calendars.
Often compared to Raksha Bandhan for its emphasis on sibling relationships, Bhai Dooj holds deep cultural, spiritual, and emotional significance across India and Nepal. On this day, sisters perform traditional rituals, including applying a tilak (vermilion mark) on their brothers’ foreheads, praying for their long life, happiness, prosperity, and success. In return, brothers vow to protect, support, and cherish their sisters, strengthening the unbreakable bond they share.
The festival beautifully symbolizes family unity, unconditional love, respect, and the timeless connection between siblings, making Bhai Dooj one of the most heartwarming celebrations in the Hindu calendar.
Timings and Date of Bhai Dooj 2025
In 2025, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Thursday, 23 October 2025. The auspicious Dwitiya Tithi begins on October 22, 2025, at 09:59 PM and ends on October 23, 2025, at 07:16 PM. The most favorable time for performing the Bhai Dooj tilak ceremony falls within this duration
History of Bhai Dooj
Like any other festival, there are a couple of legends associated with Bhai Dooj as well. According to one such legend, Lord Krishna, after killing the demon king Narakasura, visited his sister, Goddess Subhadra's house, where she welcomed him with much love. For his warm welcome, she prepared special sweets and greeted him with flowers. She also applied tilak on his forehead to symbolise victory in the battle against evil. Since then, the festival of Bhai Dooj has come into being.
The second legend is that the God of Death, Yama visited his sister Yami on the second day of the new moon. The happy sister then fed him delicious food and sweets. This moved Yama; in return, he gave her a precious gift, expressing his love for her.
Apart from that, he also announced that if a sister performs the rituals of aarti and tilak on their brother, they will have to fear death no more. This came to be known as the festival of Yamadwitheya all across the ancient land, which is now observed as Bhai Dooj.
Another legend has been stated in Jainism according to which, when Mahavir, the founder of the religion, attained Nirvana and was cut off from his family, at that time, his brother Nandivardhan was in great grief and was quite disturbed by his decision. During this time, his sister Sudarshana came to his rescue and helped him recover and get back to normal life. This is one of the reasons why Bhai Dooj is also celebrated in Jainism.
Read More In Details - Bhai Dooj Myths and Significance
Bhai Dooj Rituals and Traditions
The importance of Bhai Dooj lies in the deep bond it strengthens between brothers and sisters. Much like Raksha Bandhan, this festival is a symbol of love, protection, and care. To begin with the Bhai Dooj celebrations, sisters prepare with traditional samagri, including diyas, roli chawal for tilak, Moli, Betel nut, pooja thali, fruits, and sweets.
These items are essential for performing the rituals, where sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and happiness. In return, brothers vow to protect and support their sisters, making the importance of Bhai Dooj even more meaningful in fostering family ties.
1. Get Together
On this day, the sisters invite their brothers to their homes to perform the ritual ceremony. All the relatives are invited to fully commence the celebrations between all the brothers and sisters.
2. Adorns the Pooja Thal
All the sisters get up early and get dressed in new or colourful clothes. Following this, they adorn the pooja thali with roli, rice, fruits, sweets and diya. This thal is used while doing the pooja ceremony.
3. Floor Decoration
The sisters make a square figure on the floor for their brothers to sit on during the pooja. Then, the sister consumes Karith, a bitter fruit.
4. Shubh Muhurat
Shubh Muhurat is that time of the time that is believed to be the most blessed and perfect to begin with the rituals.
5. Tika Ritual
They place a tika on their brother's forehead, which consists of vermillion, dahi, and rice. It is thought that applying tilak to a brother's forehead assures that he never experiences troubles and that he is shielded from all types of falsehoods and obstacles in life.
6. The Puja Vidhi
Then, the sisters worship the hands of their brother by applying a paste of rice and sindoor.
After this, they place flowers of kaddu, beetle nut, and beetle leaves in the palm of their brothers while chanting mantras and pouring water on their palms. They then tie a kalawa for the well-being of their brother. A lamp is also lit, which is put facing the south direction.
7. The Exchange of Gifts
In return, the brothers shower their sisters with gifts, showcasing their affection for them. If a girl doesn't have a brother, they celebrate this occasion by offering their prayers and worshipping the Hindu God, Moon. They receive blessings from their elders as they put the day to rest.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bhai Dooj 2025
Q1. When is Bhai Dooj in 2025?
A1. Bhai Dooj in 2025 will be celebrated on Thursday, 23 October 2025. The auspicious Dwitiya Tithi begins on October 22 at 09:59 PM and ends on October 23 at 07:16 PM.
Q2. What is the significance of Bhai Dooj?
A2. Bhai Dooj celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, where sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and happiness, and brothers vow to protect and support their sisters. The festival symbolizes love, unity, and familial bonds.
Q3. How is Bhai Dooj different from Raksha Bandhan?
A3. While both festivals celebrate the sibling bond, Raksha Bandhan involves tying a rakhi by the sister, whereas on Bhai Dooj, the sister applies a tilak on the brother’s forehead and performs aarti. Bhai Dooj also marks the last day of Diwali festivities.
Q4. What are the key rituals performed on Bhai Dooj?
A4. Key rituals include the tilak ceremony, performing aarti, praying for the brother’s well-being, and exchanging gifts. In some regions, special sweets and symbolic items like dry coconut (gola) and kalewa are used.
Q5. Is Bhai Dooj celebrated differently in different parts of India?
A5. Bhai Dooj is celebrated under different names and customs across India. It is known as Bhai Tika in Nepal, Bhaubeej in Maharashtra, Bhai Phonta in Bengal, and Yama Dwitiya in southern India, each with unique regional rituals.
