About Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj falls on Kartika Shukla Dwitiya, two days after Diwali, and brings the five-day festival to a close. It is also known as Yama Dwitiya, from a beloved story in which Yamaraj, the lord of death, visits his sister Yamuna after a long time. She welcomes him with a tilak, an aarti and a lovingly cooked meal. Moved by her affection, Yama grants a boon that brothers who visit their sisters on this day and receive her tilak will be blessed with long life.
Following this tradition, brothers visit their sisters' homes, where sisters apply tilak, perform aarti and offer sweets and a meal, praying for their brothers' health and happiness. Brothers often bring a gift and a promise of support. The festival goes by many names: Bhau Beej in Maharashtra and Goa, Bhai Phonta in Bengal, Bhai Tika in Nepal and Bhathru Dwitiya in parts of the South. In Mathura, some devotees take a holy dip in the Yamuna at Vishram Ghat on this day.
How it is observed
- Brothers visiting their sisters' homes
- Sisters applying tilak and performing aarti for their brothers
- Sharing a special home-cooked meal and sweets
- Exchanging gifts and blessings
- Taking a holy dip in the Yamuna at Mathura, for some devotees
Bhai Dooj dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sunday, 3 November 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Thursday, 23 October 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Wednesday, 11 November 2026 | Next |
| 2027 | Sunday, 31 October 2027 | Upcoming |
| 2028 | Thursday, 19 October 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Wednesday, 7 November 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Monday, 28 October 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated across India
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
North India
Bhai Dooj, Yama Dwitiya
Sisters apply tilak to their brothers and pray for their long life. In Mathura, siblings bathe together in the Yamuna at Vishram Ghat.
Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka
Bhau Beej
Sisters perform aarti of their brothers, offer them sweets, and receive gifts in return.
West Bengal, Tripura
Bhai Phonta
Sisters place a phonta (dot) of sandalwood paste on their brothers' foreheads with a rhyme that keeps Yama away.
Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling
Bhai Tika
On the last day of Tihar, sisters give a seven-coloured tika and garlands of makhamali flowers to their brothers.
Kayastha communities
Chitragupta Puja
Kayastha families worship Lord Chitragupta along with pens, books and account registers.
Known as Bhau Beej in Maharashtra, Bhai Phonta in Bengal and Bhai Tika in Nepal, each with its own customs.
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