Bhai Dooj 2025

All About the Bhai Dooj Festival

Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhatra Dwitiya, Bhai Dwitiya, Bhathru Dwithiya, and Bhau Teej, is an auspicious festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers' long and healthy lives. The festivities begin with a tika ceremony, during which sisters request gifts from their brothers, who promise to protect them throughout their lives.

Bhai Dooj Festival Puja Vidhi

The puja vidhi for Bhai Dooj is quite simple and resembles that of Raksha Bandhan, as both occasions honor the sibling bond. Here are the steps to perform the puja on this auspicious day:

1. Wake up early in the morning and take a bath.

2. Wear new clothes for the occasion.

3. During the auspicious muhurat of the day, offer prayers to the Gods.

4. Perform the tilak ceremony by applying roli and akshat on your brother's forehead.

5. Light a diya in the south direction of the house.

6. Tie a kalava (sacred thread) on your brother's right wrist and pour water on his hand while chanting mantras.

7. In some regions, sisters place kaddu (pumpkin) flowers, along with betel nuts and leaves, in their brother's palm.

8. After the tilak ceremony, sisters put some coins in their brother's hand.

9. Offer delicious sweets prepared for the festival to your brother.

10. Brothers treat their sisters with gifts on this day.

11. Perform the aarti of your brother and seek his promise of protection.

12. Some women create garlands from cotton and roli to offer to the Gods, seeking their protection for themselves and their families.

Astrological Significance of Bhai Dooj

Astrologically, Bhai Dooj coincides with Chitragupta Jayanti, celebrated on the second day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Kartik. Worshipping Lord Chitragupta on this day is believed to grant devotees his blessings, as he records everyone's actions and determines who receives absolution or Nirvana from the cycle of life and death.

Significance of Bhaiya Dooj Festival

Bhaiya Dooj, also known as Yama Dwitiya, holds immense significance within the Hindu community. This festival occurs on the Dwitiya Tithi in Kartik, after Diwali, marking the conclusion of the five-day-long festivities. According to scriptures, sisters worship deities and apply tilak on their brothers' foreheads to bestow them with health, happiness, and longevity. Thus, the day celebrates the bond between siblings.

On this occasion, sisters serve sumptuous sweets to their brothers and may even observe a fast. Those who participate in the rituals are believed to be blessed and deemed Saubhagyavati, while brothers receive the gift of long life. Additionally, Yama, the God of death, along with Yama Doots and Chitragupta, is worshipped due to the legends surrounding this day.

Rituals Associated with Bhai Dooj Festival

The celebrations for Bhai Dooj are filled with excitement, reminiscent of Raksha Bandhan. While many rituals are similar, there are slight differences:

• Unlike Raksha Bandhan, sisters do not tie a rakhi on their brother's wrist. However, brothers do vow to protect their sisters.

• In Nepal, seven colors are used during the Tilak ceremony.

• In West Bengal, sandalwood paste and kajal are used for the tilak.

• In Haryana and Maharashtra, sisters without brothers worship the moon on this auspicious day.

• Kheerni poori or Busundi poori is a popular delicacy made in Maharashtra for this occasion.

• Khaja, a sweet made from wheat flour and sugar, is especially popular in West Bengal during this festival.

Regional Names Associated with Bhai Dooj

While Bhai Dooj is celebrated across India, it is known by different names in various regions, each celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters:

• Bhai Dooj - Northern India

• Bhau Teej - Maharashtra

• Bhai Bij - Gujarat

• Bhatru Dwitiya - Odisha and Southern India

• Bhav Bij - Goa and Konkan regions

• Bhai Phota - Assam and West Bengal

• Bhai Tikka - Nepal

Legend Associated with Bhai Dooj

The festival has its roots in a Puranic tale involving Yama (the God of death) and his sister Yamuna. Overwhelmed by his responsibilities, Yama failed to visit Yamuna for an extended period. Longing to see him, Yama visited her unannounced on Dwitiya Tithi. Delighted, Yamuna welcomed him with a tilak and a garland. In return, Yama granted her a boon: she requested that he spare the lives of brothers on this day. Since then, this day has been celebrated as Yama Dwitiya. It is believed that taking a dip in the holy waters of Yamuna on this day brings blessings from Yama.

On Bhai Dooj, brothers promise to protect their sisters, while sisters earnestly pray for their brothers' longevity. Ultimately, this festival embodies the love and affection shared between siblings, making it a special occasion for all.

To know about the auspicious muhurat of this day, connect with Astroyogi astrologers right away!