Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhau Beej, is observed on the last day of the five-day-long Diwali festivities. The festival symbolises the strong bond between a brother and sister. It is celebrated every year two days after Diwali with a lot of pomp and grandeur.

As per the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on the Dwitiya Tithi or the second day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. This year, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on November 3.

On this auspicious day, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and happy lives. They perform the Tika ceremony and brothers offer gifts to their sisters. Bhai Dooj is much like Raksha Bandhan, highlighting the unique bond between siblings.

Bhai Dooj 2024: Date and Shubh Muhurat

According to Drik Panchang, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Sunday, November 3. The Dwitiya Tithi will begin at 8:21 pm on November 2 and end at 10:05 pm on November 3. The Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time is from 1:22 pm to 03:36 pm on November 3.

Rituals and Celebration

The Bhai Dooj festival is celebrated traditionally across the country. On this auspicious day, sisters perform the tika or tilak ritual and pray for the long lives of their brothers. The sisters also do aarti to seek blessings for their brothers. They also prepare traditional foods and sweets for their brothers. In return, brothers present gifts to their sisters as a gesture of affection and appreciation.

Significance

According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that after slaying the demon Narakasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra. She welcomed him with sweets and flowers, adorning his forehead with a tilak. Since then, it has become a symbol of Bhai Dooj celebrations highlighting a sister’s love for her brother.

The story of Lord Yama, the Hindu god of death, meeting his sister Yamuna is another connection to the joyous occasion. Yama decided that whoever receives a tilak and sweets from their sister on this day will be bestowed with a long life, following the heartfelt welcome and tilak ceremony extended by Yamuna.

Bhai Dooj is derived from two words — ‘Bhai’ means ‘brother’ and ‘Dooj’ means the second day following the new moon.

On this joyous occasion, sisters pray for their brother to have long and happy lives.

According to regional traditions, the day has religious and spiritual importance in various states. It is observed as Bhai Phonta in West Bengal while in southern states it’s called Yama Dwitiya. Additionally, the festival is celebrated as Bhau Beej in Maharashtra.