Bhai Dooj in India will be celebrated on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. It will be held on the second day of the bright fortnight of Kartik, which comes two days after Diwali.

Please Note:- It is important to remember that the tilak is applied during the Aparahna period, when the Dwitiya tithi is in effect. Please make sure of the correct muhurat timings for the city you live in since there may be a difference of only a few minutes between various panchangs. Some panchangs even mention Tuesday, 10 November 2026, especially for those living in the United States since the tithi will fall at a different time in relation to the local time in your area.

Celebration of the loving relationship between brothers and sisters is known as Bhai Dooj. "Dooj" means Dwitiya, which is the name of the second lunar day when the festival takes place. Bhai Dooj can also be referred to as Yama Dwitiya due to the mythology associated with Yama and his sister Yamuna.

The festival goes by different names across India and Nepal:

• Bhai Dooj or Bhaiya Dooj: North India

• Bhau Beej: Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat

• Bhai Phota or Bhai Phonta: West Bengal

• Bhai Tika: Nepal and Sikkim, as part of Tihar

• Bhai Bij: Gujarat and Rajasthan

• Yama Dwitiya: Many parts of India, in the Panchang

The story of Yama and Yamuna

One of the most famous stories associated with Bhai Dooj relates to Yamraj, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna.

Yamuna had deep love for her brother and often invited him over to her house. However, being too engaged in his duties, he could never get time to visit her. But finally, one bright fortnight of Kartik month, he remembered the invitation of his sister and visited her. Yamuna was very happy and welcomed her brother by applying tilak on his forehead, doing aarti, offering him sweets and preparing a nice meal.

Impressed by the affection of his sister, Yamraj asked her to ask for a boon. Yamuna requested that whoever gets a tilak mark from his sister on this day and has a meal with his sister shall be saved from premature death. Yamraj readily granted her wish.

Thus, Bhai Dooj is also called Yama Dwitiya and people consider it very auspicious to take a bath in the Yamuna river on this day.

The story of Krishna and Subhadra

There is another famous tradition according to which Lord Krishna paid a visit to his sister Subhadra after having defeated Narakasura. She gave him a tilak, sweets, and flowers in order to show her reverence to him. This event marks one of the first celebrations of the tilak ceremony.

Katha's teaching: A relationship between brother and sister is a divine shield. A humble tilak is blessed more than any other offering.

• Love and protection bond. Tilak is prayed for the prosperity, longevity, safety, and well-being of the brother.

• Vow of brothers. The brothers promise to guard their sisters throughout life.

• Blessings of Yamraj. It is said that if a brother gets tilak from his sister on this auspicious day, he is free from all kinds of fears and untimely death.

• Joyful ending of the Diwali celebration. This festival ends on a joyous note as it brings family members together.

• Gathering together. Siblings residing in different cities try to gather together or at least speak to each other.

• Gratitude. Both brothers and sisters show gratitude for the blessings of each other.

Here is a quick way to perform Bhai Dooj tilak ritual at your home.

1. Make the thali. Decorate the puja thali with roli, akshat (rice), diya, sweet items, coconut, flowers, betel leaf and betel nut. Have a kalash filled with water close by.

2. Find the muhurat. Schedule the tilak ritual at the Aparahna muhurat when the Dwitiya tithi is prevailing.

3. Seat the brother. Make the brother sit on an auspicious seat facing either the east direction or the north. It is common practice in most homes to create a rangoli/chowk for the brother to sit on.

4. Perform the tilak. Perform tilak of roli and akshat on his forehead. Some traditions follow tilak of roli, rice and curd.

5. Give coconut and sweet. Place the coconut (sweet items) in his hands. Give a sweet item from the thali.

6. Do the aarti. Ignite the lamp and perform an aarti by waving the thali in circular movements in front of him.

7. Put on mauli (optional). Sometimes, there is a tradition of tying a holy thread (mauli) around the wrist of the brother.

8. Make a prayer for his happiness. Make a short prayer for his long life, good health, prosperity, and happiness.

9. Provide him with a meal. Give a meal to your brother with his favorite dishes just like Yamuna gave to Yamraj.

10. Gifts and blessings should be exchanged. Brothers give gifts to their sisters and sisters bless them. Elderly ones bless them both.

• Roli (kumkum) and akshat (rice)

• Diya, ghee, wicks and camphor

• Coconut (nariyal)

• Sweets, dry fruits and batasha

• Flowers or a flower garland

• Betel leaf and betel nut

• Mauli (sacred thread)

• A small kalash or bowl of water

• Curd or sandalwood paste (as per family custom)

• A handkerchief or cloth for the brother

While putting the tilak on their brothers, the sisters may recite a brief prayer wishing them longevity, or chant:

• ओम नमो नारायणाय (Om Namo Narayanaya)

• भाई के मथे पर तिलक लगाऊँ, यमराज से उसकी रक्षा माँगूँ (an old tradition stated in simple language)

It is the spirit behind the prayer that matters rather than the words themselves.

• North India (Delhi, UP, Bihar, Rajasthan): The sisters put tilak, aarti and prepare a special food. Many people go to the river Yamuna to take a dip.

• Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat (Bhau Beej, Bhai Bij): The sisters do aarti of their brothers and the brothers give gifts. They make special sweets.

• West Bengal (Bhai Phota): The sisters keep fast till they apply tilak of sandal paste, ghee and kajal on the forehead of their brother, after which they prepare a big meal.

• Nepal and Sikkim (Bhai Tika): Part of the Tihar festival with seven-colored tika and garland with a special thali.

• Business Community: Chitragupta Puja falls on the same day and they worship their accounts and pens.

• Worldwide: Indian community all around the world celebrates Raksha Bandhan by putting on tilak, doing video calls and exchanging gifts.

Both festivals celebrate the sibling bond, but they have different traditions.

A gift on Bhai Dooj is an ideal gesture to convey your thoughts through "I care." Below are some unique gift ideas that will make your day more special.

Gifts by brothers to sisters

• Jewellery such as bracelet or pendant

• Dress such as saree, suit, or any other outfit

• Handbag, scarf or beauty hamper

• Spiritual gifts like blessed bracelet, crystal or puja items

• Handwritten note with some favorite memories

Gifts by sisters to brothers

• Rudraksha or crystal bracelet

• Watch, wallet, or cufflinks

• Personalized mug, diary, or photo frame

• Home-made sweets or dry fruit hamper

• Blessed idols of Hanuman or Ganesha for his desk

Select some gift that suits his/her tastes and preferences. Also, don't forget that you are the most important gift of all for him/her.

Do

• Apply the tilak during the Aparahna muhurat while Dwitiya is active

• Have the brother seated facing east or north

• Prepare his favourite meal with love

• Keep a positive, loving mood throughout the day

• Exchange blessings with elders

• Try to meet in person, or call if you cannot

Don't

• Don't hold the tilak after the Dwitiya tithi ends, if you can avoid it

• Don't argue, scold or hold old grudges on this day

• Don't let the brother leave without sweets and blessings

• Don't ignore a sibling living far away; send a tilak by post or a message of love

• Don't judge a gift by its price

• Light a diya in front of the god and pray for the good health of your brother.

• Give a cow food by feeding it green fodder or jaggery.

• Pour water into the Sun and pray for the well-being of your family members.

• Take a bath in the river Yamuna or pour some Gangajal into water and take bath at your own place.

• Donate food or clothes to anyone in need on behalf of your brother.

• Settle any argument with your brother as this day is all about reconciliation and love.

When would Bhai Dooj be in 2026?

When is the Bhai Dooj tilak muhurat in 2026?

Why do we celebrate Bhai Dooj?

What is another name of Bhai Dooj?

What is the difference between Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj?