India holds another beautiful festival to commemorate one of the humanity’s most cherished relationships, the bond between brothers and sisters, after the glistening lights of Diwali fade away. Bhai Dooj, or Bhaiya Dooj, is a celebration that marks the end of the Diwali celebrations with warmth, love, and blessings from brothers and sisters. On this day sisters pray for the welfare of their brothers, and brothers vow to always guard and care for their sisters.
A festival steeped in tradition and love, Bhai Dooj expresses in the most perfect way the unspoken words that siblings feel for one another – care, faith, and joy in one another’s presence.
The Origins of Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj has its origins in ancient Indian mythology. The most popular version relates to host of the Kans, Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra. After Krishna had killed Kans’ demon Narakasura, he visited his sister Subhadra.
She greeted Krishna and delighted his horrifying battle with sweets and tilak (a ceremonial mark on a forehead) followed with an aarti to welcome him and pray for long life. Moved by Subhadra’s love for him, Krishna blessed her. Thus began the festival of Bhai Dooj that celebrates the loving relationship of brothers and sisters.
Some scholars suggest that the day is connected with Yamraj, the God of Death and his sister Yamuna. Some say that Yamraj was transformed by love when Yamuna invited him to her home and welcomed him with respect by adorning his forehead with tilak and inviting him to enjoy sweets. Likewise, after this, Yamraj declared that any brother who visited his sister would be blessed with health, happiness, and longevity forever after.
That is also why Bhai Dooj is also known as Yama Dwitiya – the second day of Yama and his sister.
When Is Bhai Dooj Celebrated In 2025?
Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the second day of the Shukla Paksha during the month of Kartik which is also two days after Diwali. In 2025, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Thursday, October 23.
It is a day of love, laughter and rituals that brings the family together, ending the festive season.
Customs and Celebrations
Bhai Dooj customs are found all over India, but the sentiment is the same in every region, it is a day to celebrate the love between siblings.
1. The Tilak Ceremony
On this day, sisters prepare a special puja thali with a diya, rice, roli, sweets and coconut. She then applies a red tilak to the brother’s forehead, followed by aarti while praying for the brother’s happiness and longevity. This ritual is an expression of the sister’s best wishes for her brother’s health.
2. Exchanging Gifts
From this point on, brothers give the sister thoughtful gifts or money as a sign of affection or a mark of affection. The sister, now the benefactor, prepares the brother’s favourite sweets and meals, all of which consists of the warmth of love.
3. Family Get-Togethers
Oh! Just another occasion for families to spend time together over wonderful meals. We enjoy festive foods from Indian cuisine, including puri, halwa, kheer, and laddoo, as it only makes the occasion sweeter.
4. Cultural Variations
In West Bengal, Bhai Dooj is called Bhai Phonta. Sisters maintain a fast until they put the ceremonial mark on their brother’s forehead and offer him sweets.
In Maharashtra and Goa, it is known as Bhau Beej. Sisters invite brothers for a meal, sometimes with dahi, and put tilak on their forehead.
In Nepal, it is called Bhai Tika, and it’s one of the most important festivals in Nepalese culture. Sisters put a multi-colored tika on their brother’s forehead and put garlands of flowers or sweets around their brother’s neck.
Symbolism and Meaning
Bhai Dooj is not only a festival ritual; it represents a sacred bond.
- Protection and Prayer: The tilak represents a sister’s prayer for her brother’s protection, while the brother’s present is a promise to protect his sister for life.
- Respect and Gratitude: It conveys the meaning of bonds in family culture and the emotional bond that siblings have even in later years.
- Unity and Sharing Blessings: The festival is a time when families come together, and happiness and peace come after celebrating Diwali extravaganza.
Bhai Dooj in Today’s Society
There has been a major transition for Bhai Dooj in the present age. Since many siblings find themselves in completely different parts of the world, today’s Bhai Dooj often consists of video calls, utilizing online gifting, and virtual tilak celebrations. Despite these technological advances, the feelings remain unchanged.
There are geographical barriers, but brothers and sisters still find ways to laugh, celebrate together and show their love on Bhai Dooj, even if they live thousands of miles apart. Many families will also use this special day to reconnect with cousins and other family, further enhancing the family unit.
A Gift of Love
Bhai Dooj 2025 is not just about the traditions, but about showing love, respect, and appreciation for each other. Bhai Dooj is about celebrating the love and affection between siblings, and that existence is something that no time, distance, or situation can change.
As diyas are lit and sweets fill the homes, in truth, Bhai Dooj reminds us that the greatest gift is not just love and protection, or wellness and blessings, but that love, protection, and blessings are the true gifts. Bhai Dooj is a truly spectacular day because we celebrate traditions and emotions, and come together as family to celebrate the one truly beautiful bond of all, that between brother and sister.