India celebrates many festivals that bring families closer. One such festival is Bhai Dooj, a day that honours the special bond between brothers and sisters. It is known by many names like Bhai Phonta in Bengal, Bhau Beej in Maharashtra, and Yamadvitiya in some regions.
Bhai Dooj always comes right after Diwali and marks the last day of the five-day celebrations. In 2025, the festival will bring warmth, love, and prayers into households across the country.
Bhai Dooj 2025: Date and Muhurat
According to the Drik Panchang, this year, Bhai Dooj falls on Thursday, October 23, 2025. It is observed on the Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Kartik month.
Festival Date - October 23, 2025 (Thursday)
Aparahna Time - 01:04 PM - 03:25 PM (2 hours 21 minutes)
Dwitiya Tithi Starts - 08:16 PM, October 22
Dwitiya Tithi Ends - 10:46 PM, October 23
This afternoon period is considered the most auspicious time for performing the tilak and aarti.
How Bhai Dooj is Celebrated
The festival is simple but full of meaning. Sisters prepare a decorated thali with rice, kumkum, sandalwood paste, sweets, and a diya.
The sister applies a tilak on her brother’s forehead.
She performs aarti while praying for his health and happiness.
The brother then offers gifts to his sister as a token of love.
Families often gather for a special meal, turning the day into a warm reunion.
In Nepal, a similar festival is called Bhai Tikka, where sisters apply a long tilak of seven colours on their brothers’ foreheads.
Stories Behind Bhai Dooj
Several legends explain the roots of this festival:
Lord Krishna and Subhadra - After Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, he visited his sister Subhadra. She welcomed him with tilak and prayers. This became one of the traditions linked to Bhai Dooj.
Yamraj and Yamuna - Another tale tells of Yamraj, the god of death, visiting his sister Yamuna. She honoured him with aarti and tilak. Touched by her love, Yamraj declared that brothers who receive a tilak on this day will be blessed with long life.
These stories reflect the central theme of Bhai Dooj i.e protection, blessings, and sibling affection.
Why the Festival Matters
Like Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj highlights the sacred relationship between brothers and sisters. The customs may differ across India, but the spirit is the same.
Sisters pray for their brothers’ safety and success.
Brothers promise to stand by their sisters in all situations.
It is a reminder that family love is timeless and should be celebrated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main difference between Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj?
While both festivals celebrate the sibling bond, Raksha Bandhan involves the sister tying a sacred thread (rakhi) on her brother's wrist. Bhai Dooj focuses on the sister applying a tilak or tika on her brother's forehead. Both involve prayers for the brother's well-being and an exchange of gifts.
2. What items are needed for a Bhai Dooj puja thali?
A traditional Bhai Dooj thali includes a diya (lamp), kumkum or roli for the tilak, akshat (unbroken rice), sandalwood paste, flowers, and your brother's favorite sweets.
3. Can Bhai Dooj be celebrated for a cousin or a distant brother?
Absolutely. The festival celebrates the emotional bond of a brother-sister relationship, and it is commonly celebrated with cousins and close friends who share a similar bond.
Happy Bhai Dooj 2025! May this day bring happiness, blessings, and stronger family bonds.
