Bhai Dooj 2026 – Celebrating the Bond Between Brother and Sister
Date: 11 November 2026
Full Date
11 November 2026 Afternoon tilak muhurat approx 13:09 to 15:19 – 11 November 2026 Evening / rest of the day
Muhurat Timings in India
Tilak Ceremony & Sister’s Feast
On 11 November 2026 in the afternoon tilak muhurat comes — sisters apply tilak to their brothers, feed them sweets and a special lunch/feast is organised in many households.
11 November 2026 13:09 (approx start) – 11 November 2026 15:19 (approx end of muhurat)
Introduction
Bhai Dooj is a joyous Hindu festival celebrated on the second lunar day (Dwitiya) of the bright fortnight (Shukla) in the month of Kartika. It marks the culmination of the Diwali festivities and focuses on the enduring bond between brothers and sisters—honour, protection, blessing, gift-giving and togetherness.
Other Names
Bhau Beej, Bhaiya Dooj, Bhai Phonta, Bhatri Dwitiya
Pooja Vidhi
- Prepare a puja thali with vermilion (roli), rice (akshat), sweets, coconut and flower garland.
- Clean the house and light diyas; dress in clean traditional clothes.
- Sit the brother on a low seat, draw a rangoli or seat-square with rice around him.
- Sister performs aarti, applies tilak on his forehead, ties sacred thread if regionally followed.
- Offer sweets and fruits, sister feeds brother; then brother gives gift or cash to sister.
- End with family prayers, exchange of sweets, and joyous celebration.
Rituals
- Sisters invite their brothers home, perform aarti, apply tilak (vermilion & rice) on brother’s forehead and pray for his long life.
- Brothers give gifts (cash, sweets, clothes) to their sisters as tokens of love and gratitude.
- A special feast is prepared; in some regions sisters feed their brothers with their own hands.
- Family members gather and celebrate together, often after the Diwali lights and diya ceremonies.
- In some regions, sisters also pray to the moon god if their brothers are far away or deceased.
Regional Highlights
- In Maharashtra and Gujarat the festival is called Bhau Beej and features special dishes like basundi-poori. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- In Bengal the festival is celebrated as Bhai Phonta with sandalwood paste (phonta) tilak and grand family feast. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
- In Nepal the analogous festival is Bhai Tika during Tihar when sisters apply multi-coloured tika and garland their brothers. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- In North India the day comes immediately after the Diwali celebrations as the festive conclusion of the sibling bond rituals.
History
According to mythological tradition, one popular legend states that Yama (the god of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day and she welcomed him with tilak, sweets and a feast. In return, Yama granted that any brother who receives his sister’s tilak on Bhai Dooj will live a long life. Another legend says that after Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, he visited his sister Subhadra who welcomed him similarly, which forms part of the origin of the festival. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Additional Information
- Though similar to Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj emphasises the sister’s hospitality and the brother’s promise of protection rather than the rakhi-tying ritual. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
- The tilak applied on the brother is a symbol of protection and blessing; some regions also visit the moon god if brother is absent. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
- In some states Bhai Dooj is a restricted holiday but not always a full public holiday. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}