Bhai Dooj, a day to celebrate the beautiful, selfless bond between a brother and a sister. The beautiful country of India which is supremely rich in its culture and traditions and each and every festival is celebrated with heartfelt emotions and spirit. One such festival is Bhai Dooj which is a day to commemorate the sacred bond that is there between brothers and sisters. Bhai Dooj is celebrated fourth day of the five day long Diwali celebration.
When to celebrate Bhai Dooj in 2025
Bhai Dooj 2025 will be celebrated on 23rd October, 2025. The date of Bhai Dooj is determined by the placement of the new moon that is the lunar placement. It is celebrated on the second day of the new moon which is also called the Dwitiya Tithi which falls in the pious month of Kartik which is usually the month of October or November. The Dwitiya Tithi this year will begin on October 22, 2025, at 8:16 pm. It will end on October 23, 2025, at 10:46 pm
The Shubh Tilak Muhurat or Shubh Muhurat for Bhai Dooj Puja is from 1:13 PM till 3:28 PM on Thursday, the 23rd of October, 2025.
On this auspicious day, Sisters craft and set up everything for this most awaited time, which is filled with dedication, faith, love for siblings, prayer for their well being and for their health and prosperity.
This day marks the celebration of the bond between brother and sister, of how eternal and cosmic their bond is, of how they are there for each other and for how they will be there for each other at all times.
The Significance of Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj is known by many names in different parts of India like Teeka, Tika, Bhau Beej, Bhai Phonta, or Yama Dwitiya in different parts of India. On this day brothers visit their sisters at their homes with gifts and Shagun, and sisters perform Teeka, tika or a Tilak puja alongwith arti for their brothers.
After the sister performs the teeka ceremony, the brother promises to her and to himself that he will always take care of her and be by her side always. After this he gives blessings and gifts to his sister.
This pious festival is not just a day of observance, this day is also about reliving the bond between brother and sister, the connection between siblings, their selfless love and the trust and faith they have had all their life. They relive their memories of the olden days, their playtimes, the times they fought and when the made up without any inhibitions. They revisit all the good and not so good times spent together.
This observance of Bhai Dooj is also a reflection of the cosmic bond between the God of Death Lord Yama and his beloved sister Yamuna. Their relationship reminds us that relationship, bonding and love is beyond the boundaries of all human emotions and fears even that of death.
The Saga of Bhai Dooj
The ancient belief and the most popular tale in Hindu tradition is the story of God of death Lord Yama and his sister Yamuna. It is a popular belief, that Lord Yama had not met his sister Yamuna for a very long time. He went to meet his sister after a very long time and this day became famous as Bhai Dooj.
Yamuna was so moved and elated by her brother’s visit that she prepared a sumptuous meal for him, When Yama reached her home, she welcomed him by performing Aarti and thereafter putting a tilak or teeka on his forehead
Yama was so much moved by this act of his sister that that he announced that from that day onwards any brother who paid a visit to his sister on this special day and geta teeka or tilak on his forehead fro her will get the boon of longevity of life, peace and hope.
Another folk tale famous about the sacred day of Bhai Dooj is that of Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra. Lord Krishna returned victorious after winning from the very powerful demon Narakasura, and went to visit Subhadra. An elated Subhadra welcomed with arti and putting tilak which portrayed the very beautiful bond of siblings.
Bhai Dooj celebrations across India
This celebration of the sibling love is celebrated across the culturally rich Indian sub continent in a variety of different ways:
- In the north Indian states arti thali is prepared and sweets are also arranged for. Then the sisters apply teeka or tilak on the brother’s forehead.
- In the state of Bihar and some parts of UP, sisters first speak ill of brothers and then punish themselves by pricking their tongue with a thorn. They then go for this ritual called Bajri Kootna.
- Bhau Beej is the name for this festival in Maharashtra. Traditional sweetdishes like puran poli and shrikhand are prepared by sisters to treat their brothers.
- In West Bengal,the name for this festival is Bhai Phonta. Sisters apply a sandalwood and kajal tilak on their brothers to protect them from evil and negative energy.
Rituals and Customs of Bhai Dooj
Firstly on this day the above-mentioned rituals are performed and then the day ends with a family bonding time, sumptuous meal, moments of joy and family time.
Puja and ritual preparations begin early in the morning. Then the houses are cleaned and decorated with fresh flowers and Rangoli. Grand feast is prepared for the whole family.
The puja thali is prepared which has roli, rice, diya, flowers, fruits, and sweets. Then the tilak or teeka or tika ceremony starts wherein sisters apply kumkum and rice teeka or tika or tilak on brother’s forehead. Then aarti is done and sweets to each other are offered.
On this day, Lord Yama and his sister Yamuna are prayed to by the sisters for the longevity of life of brothers and for their well-being. The brother also vows to protect and support his sister for her lifetime and also gives her gifts.
Relevance of Bhai Dooj in the modern world
The relevance of Bhai Dooj in today’s modern era is even more noteworthy. Sibling who have been living apart due to career or educational reasons try and meet each other on this occasion. THey meet to celebrate this day of love and bonding. This day reminds us that distance cannot come between siblings and their bond.
This day is a reminder of the family bonding, the happiness and calmness that it brings and it truly glorifies and radiates the Indian culture.
Conclusion
Bhai Dooj truly and so nicely represents the bond between siblings. It shows that both of them care so much about each other and pray to the God for each others’ well-being. The siblings sit together and relive their memories and life moments.
The teeka ceremony represents how the sisters apply teeka as a representation of their love for their brothers and as a token of their faith and trust in him. The brother also vows to stay by her side and support her forever respecting this celestial bond.
This Bhai Dooj 2025, take a breath and relive your beautiful moments and take a break from your extremely busy lives. On this day the family bonds and relations shine in all their radiance and glory.