Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhaiya Dooj or Yama Dwitiya, is a festival that celebrates the eternal bond between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated two days after Diwali and marks the conclusion of the five-day Diwali festivities. This day symbolizes love, protection and mutual respect between brothers and sisters.
Bhai Dooj in 2025 will be celebrated on Thursday, October 23.
Bhai Dooj 2025: date and time
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Festival Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Bhai Dooj afternoon time: 13:10 PM to 15:25 PM
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Yama Dwitiya: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Dwitiya tithi starts: October 22, 2025 at 20:16
Dwitiya date ends: October 23, 2025 at 22:46
Aparahan Muhurat (afternoon period) between 1:10 pm to 3:25 pm is considered to be the most auspicious time to perform the Bhai Dooj Tilak ceremony.
History of Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj originates from ancient Hindu mythology. According to the legend of Yama and Yamuna, on the day of Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, Goddess Yamuna invited her brother, Lord Yamraj, the god of death, to her home. He welcomed him with great love, applied tilak on his forehead, offered sweets and prayed for his long life and prosperity.
In return, Yamraj was very impressed and gave a boon that whichever brother visits his sister on this day and takes Tilak from her, he will be blessed with a long, healthy and prosperous life. From that day onwards, this tradition came to be known as Yama Dwitiya, which is celebrated as Bhai Dooj across India.
This day is also mentioned in many Puranas, highlighting its importance as a symbol of love, forgiveness and protection.
Importance and spiritual meaning
Bhai Dooj is more than just a festival – it represents the pure and selfless relationship between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers’ long life, success and happiness, while brothers swear to protect and support their sisters throughout their lives.
It is believed that performing Bhai Dooj rituals brings blessings of good luck, removes negativity and strengthens family relationships. Those who honor their married sisters with new clothes and wealth on this day are safe from misfortune and experience increased wealth, respect and longevity.
Spiritually, Bhai Dooj teaches the importance of gratitude, love and unity within families.
Rituals and Celebrations
On Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, devotees start the day with moon darshan early in the morning. Taking bath in Yamuna river is considered sacred. If this is not possible, the body should be massaged with oil and purified by taking a bath at home.
After the morning rituals, brothers go to their sisters’ homes. The sisters perform the Tilak ceremony, offer sweets and pray for the well-being of their brother. In return, brothers give gifts, clothes or money and enjoy special food prepared by their sisters.
If one does not have a sister, they may honor the sister of a cousin or friend, following the same rituals with devotion and affection.
In the evening, before lighting the lamps inside the house, devotees perform Deepdaan by lighting a four-wick lamp outside their homes in honor of Lord Yamraj, who symbolizes light over darkness and protection from evil.
Bhai Dooj 2025 will be celebrated on October 23 with auspicious rituals that highlight the love, protection and gratitude between brothers and sisters. By offering tilak, lamp and following sacred rituals, families can invite peace, prosperity and harmony into their homes.
Celebrate this Bhai Dooj with the spirit of affection, devotion and togetherness – because sister’s love and brother’s blessings are truly eternal.
(This article is for your general information only. Zee News does not confirm its accuracy or reliability.)