Bhai Dooj 2026

The festival of Bhai Dooj is a famous festival for Hindus. This festival is similar to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. The festivals of Bhai Dooj are known by many names like Bhaubeej, Bhai Tika, Bhai Phonta etc. The festival is celebrated on the second lunar day (bright fortnight) of the Shukla Paksha of the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar or Shalivahana Shaka calendar month of Kartik. It falls on the second day of the Diwali festival.

The celebrations on this day are celebrated similarly to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. On this day sisters give gifts to their brothers and younger sisters also give gifts to their elder brothers. The brothers also give gifts to their sisters. In the southern part of the India, the day is celebrated as Yama Dwitiya.

In the northern part of the India, a ritual is also performed, a dry coconut (called gola in the regional language) is tied with a clava, the sisters perform the aarti of their brother and apply a red tika on the brother's forehead. On the occasion of Bhai Dooj, this tika ceremony, the sister prays for the brother's long and happy life, gives the dried coconut to his brother. In return, elder brothers bless their sisters and give those gifts or cash.

The entire ceremony reflects the brother's duty to protect his sister, as well as the sister's blessing for her brother.

Mythological belief

It is believed that in earlier times, on this day, Goddess Yamuna had fed Yamraj at her home. From that day onwards the creatures of Nar got rid of torture and they were freed from sin and all lived in hell as per their wish. Together they celebrated a great festival which was supposed to bring happiness to the kingdom of Yamalok. That is why this date became famous in the three worlds as Yama Dwitiya.

On the date on which Yamuna fed Yama food at her house, on that date, a person who eats the best food from his sister's hand, gets wealth along with good food.

Description of the Brother-Sister Ritual (Summary and Explanation)

This ritual is performed to wish for the well-being and long life of the brother, traditionally performed on the festival of Bhai Dooj.

Preparation:

1. Altar/Chowki: An elevated platform (Uchhasan/Peedhi/Modha) is set up.
2. Conical Shapes: Five conical (angle-like) shapes are made on the platform using rice paste (Pithar).
3. Sindoor Coating: Sindoor is applied in the center of each shape.
4. Materials: A pot is placed in front containing clean water, sindoor, six pumpkin flowers (marigold flowers if unavailable), six betel leaves, six betel nuts, large cardamom, small cardamom, myrobalan (Harra), and nutmeg.

Ritual Method:

1. Welcome and Seat: The sister first purifies her brother by washing his feet and then has him sit on the prepared stool (Uchchasana).
2. Anjali-Bandhan and Lepan: The sister herself forms the Anjali (with both hands joined) and, in that position, applies rice paste (Pithar) and vermillion to both of her brother's hands. Following this, his hands are smeared with honey (Madhu), cow ghee, and sandalwood paste.
3. Sankalp and Wish: The sister places a betel leaf, betel nut, pumpkin flower, nutmeg, etc. in her brother's Anjali and pronounces this sacred vow:

"Yamuna invited Yama, I invite my brother. May my brother's life be as long as the Yamuna's stream."
 

4. Jal Offering: Saying this, the sister pours water into her brother's Anjali. This action is repeated three times.
5. Closing and Tilak: After the three water offerings, the brother's hands and feet are washed with water and wiped with a clean cloth. The sister reverently applies a tilak to her brother's forehead.
6. Food/Prasad: After the tilak, the brother is fed roasted makhana.
7. Gifts and Food: The brother gives gifts to his sister according to his means. Finally, they both share a meal of delicious food.

Bhai Dooj Vrat Katha

Chhaya is the wife of Lord Suryadev, who had two children, Yamraj and Yamuna. Yamuna loved her brother Yamraj very much. She always used to request them to come to their house and have food. But Yamraj used to postpone Yamuna because of his busy work. Read More...