Bhai Dooj is a Hindu festival to celebrate the sibling bond.
Namaste!
Welcome to the world of self awakening blogs on www.onindianpath.com. Today, I am writing about the Bhai Dooj, one of the festival of celebrating sibling bond in series of Diwali week festival to be celebrated from 18th October 2025 to 23rd October 2025.
Introduction
Bhai Dooj is a festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. In many geographical regions of India, Bhai Dooj is also called Bhau-Beej, Bhai Tika and Bhai Tilak.
Although, it falls on the second day after Diwali, a grand festival of lights. Besides, on this day, sisters and brothers celebrate the heartfelt love and respect for each other. Also they pray for the well-being and prosperity of each other. Eventually, sisters put vermillion and haldi tilak on forehead of their beloved brothers as a mark of love and bonding between both of them.
Rituals and Traditions of Bhai Dooj 2025
- Firstly, the sister applies a sacred tilak (vermilion mark) on her brother’s forehead. This tilak is often made of sandalwood paste and kumkum (red powder) and is a symbol of protection and well-being. In many ethnicities, this tilaak is made from Haldi, Indian turmeric, a sacred element of religious deeds.
- Secondly, after tilak, the sister performs an aarti for her brother. She did so for the protection of her brother from evil’s eye Not only this, prosperity and longevity of her brother is also part of the prayers.
- Thirdly, brothers give gifts to their sisters as a token of their love. These gifts may include money, clothes, jewellery or any thoughtful items that the sister wished for long.
- Further, celebration is incomplete without sweets. Sisters prepare or buy special sweets for their brothers. Certainly, sisters offer these sweet delicacies to their brothers to strengthen their sweet relationship.
- Do you know there is a the reason for feasting and families get together on Bhai Dooj. However, in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and many parts of Haryana, married woman go to her Mayeka (parents’ home) to celebrate Bhai Dooj a day before the festival. Likewise, her husband comes to her Mayeka In the evening to pick her up.
- At this time, people often indulge in making lavish dinners and decorations for their son in law.
Modern Twists in Bhai Dooj
These days, gen Z and gen alpha has given a modern twist to the age old traditions of the festival of sister brother bonding.
- In the hustle-bustle of city life and 24×7 hours working culture, these cool siblings now plan for a fun filled outing on the D day to a picnic spot, mall or multiplex.
- Thought Process of people has changed from longing for the festival to cherishing the strong bond between siblings and spending quality time together.
- Moreover, Indian festivals are gaining digital presence too. Geographical distance is not an issue any more. There are apps and video calls to express love, resolving any differences and renewing the promise of support and protection on Bhai Dooj.
- Similarly, posting and showering love through social media tools is ‘in’ these days. Siblings post their selfies and groupies of marking tilak, exchanging blessings and gifts on whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram and threads.
- Contemporary times has made an entry with a twist in the idea of gifting. Siblings are no longer attached to money and clothes. They are looking for the interests and hobbies of their sisters and brothers. Likewise a gym lover sister will be gifted with a year long membership or a chef brother is gifted with a one month enrolment in culinary classes.
- Digital Bharat has given wings to online payment of gift vouchers tk sisters by their beloved brothers.
Date and tithi of Bhai Dooj 2025
Moreover, it is celebrated on second day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik mas of hindu panchang. This year we are going to celebrate it on 23rd October 2025.
Dwitiya Tithi will start on 22nd October 2025 at 08:16 pm and will end on 23 October 2025 at 10:46 pm. Additionally, we do have Bhai Dooj celebration afternoon Time from 01:10 PM to 03:26 PM.
Disclaimer: All the tithi and muhurat details are taken from dirkpanchang.com for information purpose only.
Story of Bhai Dooj
As per ancient text, it is believed that Daughter of Lord Sun, Yamuna invited her brother Yamaraj to her home. She fed him delicious food and got blessings from him. Yamaraj also announced that on this auspicious day, all the Nar living in hell will get rid of torture and free from their sins.Hence, this day is celebrated by all the human beings to get rid of sins. It is also called Yama Dwitiya.
Furthermore, there is a tradition where brother and sister take a holy dip in river Yamuna on this day.
Conclusion
Thus, now we know that Bhai Dooj celebrates the strong and special relationship between siblings in the most benevolent forms. As a result, it reinforces the importance of family ties in Hindu culture to all.
Have a blessed time ahead.
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