Bhai Dooj 2025
The bond between a brother and a sister is one of the most precious relationships in the world. It is filled with love, playful arguments, and unwavering support for each other. Several festivals are celebrated in India to honor this sacred bond, and one of them is Bhai Dooj. This festival comes two days after Diwali and is dedicated to sibling love. In 2025, it will be celebrated on October 23.
What is Bhai Dooj?
Bhai Dooj, also known as Yam Dwitiya, Bhai Tika, Bhai Phonta, or Bhau Beej, is an important festival in Sanatan Dharma. It is celebrated on the Dwitiya Tithi (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers’ long life, happiness, prosperity, and bright future, and apply tilak on their foreheads. In return, brothers give gifts to their sisters and promise to protect them. Like Raksha Bandhan, this festival strengthens the bond between siblings.
Bhai Dooj Date and Time 2025
• Festival Date: October 23, 2025
• Auspicious Tilak Time: 1:13 P.M to 3:28 P.M
• Dwitiya Tithi Begins: October 22, 2025, at 8:18 P.M
• Dwitiya Tithi Ends: October 23, 2025, at 10:48 P.M
The Story of Bhai Dooj
The story of Bhai Dooj is associated with Yamraj and his sister Yamuna, which highlights the importance of this festival. According to mythology, one day Yamraj visited the home of his sister Yamuna. Overjoyed by his arrival, she welcomed him with rochan and tilak, offered him sweets and delicious food, and later gave him fruits. Seeing her happiness and devotion, Yamraj was very pleased and told her, “I am pleased with you. Ask for a boon, sister!”
Hearing this, Yamuna said, “Dear brother! If you are truly pleased, then bless that this tradition continues forever and this bond of love always remains.
Granting the boon, Yamraj said that any brother who visits his sister’s house and eats food on this day will be freed from all troubles. Yamuna then asked, “What if a person doesn’t have a younger sister?”
Yamraj replied, “If one doesn’t have a younger sister, he can visit his elder sister’s house. If he doesn’t have any sister, he may go to his cousin sister’s house. And if none of these exist, then he may consider any woman as his sister and go to her house and eat food. Doing so will free him from his troubles. Those who don’t do this will always live in fear of untimely death.”
A person should not eat at his own home on this day; instead, he must visit his sister’s house. If there is no sister, he should visit his uncle, grandfather, or maternal uncle and eat food cooked by them, give gifts, touch their feet, and promise to protect them always.
This is a very auspicious day for sibling love. Celebrating this festival keeps hatred away from their relationship, and their bond remains forever.
On this day, sisters perform tilak, honor their brothers with fragrance, flowers, and garlands, offer sweets and delicious food, and pray to Yamraj for their brothers’ good health and prosperity.
Rituals of Bhai Dooj
Several important rituals are observed on Bhai Dooj that make this festival special:
• Applying Tilak: On this day, sisters apply Roli and rice tilak on their brother’s forehead. This tilak is considered a symbol of auspiciousness and protection.
• Aarti: After the tilak, sisters perform Aarti of their brothers and pray for their long life, good health, and success.
• Offering Sweets: After aarti, sisters feed sweets to their brothers, symbolizing sweetness in the relationship.
• Exchange of Gifts: Brothers give gifts to their sisters in return for their blessings and promise to protect them.
• Special Meals: On this day, special delicious dishes are prepared at home, enjoyed together by all family members.
Benefits of Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj is not just a festival; it also has spiritual and social benefits:
• Strengthening Relationships: This festival deepens the love and bond between brothers and sisters, giving them a chance to express their feelings for each other.
• Good Wishes: Sisters pray for their brothers, bringing positivity and prosperity into their lives.
• Protection from Untimely Death: According to mythology, brothers who visit their sister’s house and get tilak on this day are not afraid of untimely death.
Bhai Dooj Puja Vidhi (Worship Method)
1) Preparation: First, gather all necessary items for the puja such as Roli (Kumkum), rice, lamp, sweets, water, flowers, coconut (if used), and a puja plate.
2) Drawing the Chowk: Sisters draw a chowk using flour or turmeric on a wooden stool or the ground.
3) Seating the brother: The brother is made to sit on the chowk or wooden stool.
4) Tilak: Sisters apply Roli and rice tilak on the brother’s forehead.
5) Aarti: After applying tilak, sisters perform aarti using a lamp.
6) Offering Sweets: Sisters feed sweets to their brothers with their own hands.
7) Offering Water: In some places, sisters also offer water to their brothers.
8) Story Recitation: During or after the puja, the mythological story of Bhai Dooj, especially that of Yam and Yamuna, is read.
9) Gifts: Brothers bless their sisters and offer them gifts or Dakshina.
10) Blessings: Sisters also bless their brothers with long life and prosperity.
Bhai Dooj Mantras
There are no mandatory mantras to chant on Bhai Dooj, but sisters may recite some mantras for their brother’s well-being. These mantras express love and good wishes for the brother:
Blessing Mantra: “Om Bhratru Deerghayushya Dehi, Sukham Dehi, Yasham Dehi.”
Meaning: O God, grant my brother long life, happiness, and fame.
These mantras reflect the pure emotions from a sister’s heart and help bring positivity into the brother’s life.
Significance of Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj holds great importance as it strengthens the sibling bond on multiple levels:
• Symbol of Sibling Love: This festival reflects the unbreakable and selfless love between a brother and sister. It gives them a platform to express their love and respect.
• Pledge of Protection: On this day, the brother takes a vow to protect his sister, enhancing the sense of security and trust in their relationship.
• Spiritual Benefit: According to the tale of Yamraj and Yamuna, applying tilak on this day removes the fear of untimely death and prevents suffering in Yamlok.
Specialties of Bhai Dooj
Some unique features make Bhai Dooj different from other festivals:
• A Festival Dedicated to Siblings: It is specifically dedicated to the bond between a brother and a sister, making it as significant as Raksha Bandhan.
• Conclusion of Diwali: Bhai Dooj marks the final day of the five-day Diwali festival, making it a joyful end to the festive season.
• Importance of Tilak and Aarti: Applying tilak and performing aarti are the central rituals of this festival, symbolizing wishes for the brother’s long life and prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. In which states is Bhai Dooj celebrated?
Bhai Dooj is celebrated all over India, though it is known by different names in various states. It is mainly celebrated with great enthusiasm in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Nepal. In Maharashtra, it is known as “Bhau Beej”, in West Bengal as “Bhai Phonta”, and in Nepal as “Bhai Tika”.
2. Why do we celebrate Bhai Dooj?
We celebrate Bhai Dooj to express unbreakable love and good wishes between siblings. According to mythology, Yamraj gave his sister Yamuna a boon that any brother who visits his sister’s house on this day and receives tilak will be free from the fear of untimely death. Therefore, this festival is also celebrated to pray for the brother’s long life and safety.
3. What should be done on Bhai Dooj?
On Bhai Dooj, sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, perform aarti, and pray for their long life and prosperity. Brothers give gifts to their sisters and promise to protect them. Special dishes are prepared at home, and all family members celebrate together.
4. How to celebrate Bhai Dooj at home?
To celebrate Bhai Dooj at home, prepare a puja thali with Roli, rice, lamp, sweets, and water in a clean place. Seat the brother on a platform and apply tilak, perform aarti, and feed him sweets. The brother gives gifts to the sister. Recite the story of Yam and Yamuna.
5. When is Bhai Dooj in 2025?
In 2025, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on October 23, 2025. Dwitiya Tithi will begin on October 22, 2025, at 8:18 PM and end on October 23, 2025, at 10:48 PM. The auspicious time for tilak will be from 1:13 PM to 3:28 PM on October 23.
6. What should not be done on Bhai Dooj?
There are generally no strict prohibitions on Bhai Dooj, but a few things to keep in mind:
• Avoid any kind of conflict or dispute between siblings.
• Try to follow the auspicious timing.
• Maintain cleanliness during the puja.
7. What should be done on Bhai Dooj day?
On Bhai Dooj day, sisters should apply tilak, perform aarti, and pray for their brother. Brothers should give gifts and promise to protect their sisters.
8. Why is it called Bhai Dooj?
It is called Bhai Dooj because the festival is dedicated to the love between a brother (Bhai) and sister, and it is celebrated on the Dwitiya (second) Tithi of the Kartik month. The name is also linked to the story of Yamraj and Yamuna, where Yamuna invited Yamraj to her home.
