🪔 Bhai Dooj 2025 – Date, Rituals, and Significance

🪔 Bhai Dooj 2025 – Date, Rituals, and Significance

Festival Date:

Thursday, 23 October 2025

About Bhai Dooj:

Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhau Beej, Bhatra Dwitiya, or Yam Dwitiya, is the festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It is observed on the Dwitiya Tithi (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik, two days after Diwali.

The festival symbolizes the love, care, and protection shared between siblings. Sisters pray for their brothers’ long life, while brothers promise to protect their sisters forever.

Story Behind Bhai Dooj:

According to Hindu legend, Lord Yama (the God of Death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. She welcomed him with love, applied a tilak on his forehead, and offered him sweets. Touched by her affection, Yama granted that any brother who receives a tilak and prasad from his sister on this day will have a long and prosperous life.

Hence, the day is also known as Yam Dwitiya.

Rituals of Bhai Dooj 2025:

• Sisters perform aarti of their brothers.
• A tilak (vermilion or sandal paste) is applied to the brother’s forehead.
• Sisters offer sweets, coconut, and kalava thread.
• Brothers give gifts or money to their sisters as a token of love.
• Families enjoy festive meals together.

In many regions, women also pray to Lord Yama and Yamuna Devi for the well-being of their brothers.

Regional Names:

• North India: Bhai Dooj / Bhaiya Dooj
• Maharashtra & Goa: Bhau Beej
• West Bengal: Bhai Phonta
• Nepal: Bhai Tika (part of Tihar festival)

❓ FAQs – Bhai Dooj 2025

Q1. When is Bhai Dooj in 2025?
A1. Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Thursday, 23 October 2025, two days after Diwali.

Q2. What is the significance of Bhai Dooj?
A2. The festival honors the sacred bond between brothers and sisters, symbolizing protection, love, and blessings.

Q3. Why is Bhai Dooj also called Yam Dwitiya?
A3. It’s believed that Lord Yama visited his sister Yamuna on this day, hence the name Yam Dwitiya.

Q4. How is Bhai Dooj celebrated?
A4. Sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, perform aarti, and pray for their long life, while brothers give gifts in return.

Q5. Is Bhai Dooj the same as Raksha Bandhan?
A5. Both celebrate sibling bonds, but Bhai Dooj occurs after Diwali, while Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in the month of Shravan.