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Bhai Dooj 2025: As the lights and celebrations of Diwali come to an end, Bhai Dooj marks the festival’s warm and emotional finale. The day is dedicated to brothers and sisters, celebrating their lifelong bond of care, trust, and affection. While Raksha Bandhan focuses on a sister tying a rakhi, Bhai Dooj highlights her prayers and blessings for her brother’s long and happy life. Families across the country observe the day with love, laughter, and simple rituals that unite everyone. In 2025, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Thursday, October 23. Although the festival is known by different names —Bhau Beej in Maharashtra, Bhai Phonta in Bengal, and Bhai Tika in Nepal —the essence remains the same everywhere. ALSO READ: Bhai Dooj 2025: When Is Bhai Dooj? Date, Origin, And Shubh Muhurat Sisters apply a sacred tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, perform aarti, and offer sweets, while brothers return the gesture with gifts and promises of lifelong protection. Bhai Dooj 2025: Know The Date According to Drik Panchang, the Dwitiya Tithi of the Kartik month begins at 8:16 PM on October 22 and ends at 10:46 PM on October 23. Hence, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Thursday, October 23. The most auspicious time (Tilak Muhurat) for performing the ritual will be between 1:13 PM and 3:28 PM. Sisters are encouraged to apply tilak, perform aarti, and feed sweets to their brothers during this time to receive divine blessings for health, happiness, and prosperity. The Story Behind Bhai Dooj The roots of Bhai Dooj go back to ancient mythology and the tale of Yamraj, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna. Legend says that Yamraj visited Yamuna on the Dwitiya Tithi of the Kartik month. She welcomed him warmly, applied a tilak, performed aarti, and served him a meal with great love. Deeply moved, Yamraj granted her a boon that any brother who visits his sister on this day and receives her blessings would live a long and prosperous life. Since then, Bhai Dooj has been celebrated as Yam Dwitiya, symbolising love, faith, and eternal sibling affection. How to Perform the Tilak Ceremony Step by Step The tilak ceremony is the main highlight of Bhai Dooj. Here is how it is traditionally done: Prepare the puja thali: Arrange a diya (lamp), roli, akshat (rice), turmeric, sweets, betel nut, dry coconut, and a mauli thread. Set up the space: Sit facing north or northeast, considered an auspicious direction. Apply the tilak: Using roli and rice, sisters apply a red mark on their brother’s forehead while silently praying for his well-being. Perform the aarti: Move the lit diya in circular motions and pray for your brother’s happiness and long life. Offer sweets: Feed him something sweet, representing love and harmony. Exchange gifts: The brother blesses his sister and gives her gifts or money as a token of love and appreciation. This simple ritual reflects affection and strengthens the sibling bond, while also bringing blessings of good health and protection from negative energies.
