Bhai Dooj is also known as 'Bhaiya Dooj' and 'Yama Dwitiya', and marks the conclusion of the five-day Diwali festival. In 2026 Bhai Dooj is on Wednesday, 11 November, and the afternoon (aparahna) tilak muhurat is 1:10 to 3:20 PM (New Delhi).
Significance of Bhai Dooj
According to legend, Yamraj's sister Yamuna repeatedly invited her brother to visit her home. On Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, Yamraj finally visited, and Yamuna welcomed him with a tilak, an aarti, and a meal. Pleased, Yamraj granted a boon that any brother who visits his sister's home on this day and receives her tilak would be freed from the fear of untimely death. This legend is why the day is also called 'Yama Dwitiya'.
According to another belief, after slaying Narakasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra's home, where she welcomed him with a tilak and sweets. Bhai Dooj is also observed in remembrance of this event.
Bhai Dooj marks the conclusion of the Diwali festival and is dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated much like Raksha Bandhan as a festival of siblings, the difference is that Raksha Bandhan falls in the Sawan month, while Bhai Dooj falls in Kartik.
How Bhai Dooj Is Celebrated
Sisters invite their brothers to their home, perform an aarti for them, and apply a tilak on their forehead. In some traditions, sisters also tie a thread around their brother's wrist.
After the tilak, sisters serve sweets to their brothers, and brothers offer their sisters a gift or money, promising their protection and support.
In many places, a special meal is prepared at the sister's home, shared together with the brother. This marks the conclusion of the five-day Diwali festival.
On Yama Dwitiya, a brother and sister bathing together in the Yamuna is considered especially meritorious, which is why Mathura's Vishram Ghat is crowded on this day. Kayastha families worship Lord Chitragupta on this day and perform the puja of the pen and inkpot.
Bhai Dooj Puja Vidhi
The sister bathes and prepares a puja thali with roli, akshat, a lamp, and sweets. On the brother's arrival, she performs his aarti, applies a tilak on his forehead, and feeds him sweets. The brother offers his sister a gift or dakshina and promises her his protection.
About Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj is the fifth and final day of the Diwali festival, dedicated to the love between brothers and sisters. This page covers the day's significance, the legend of Yamraj and Yamuna, and the tilak ceremony vidhi.
See the separate pages for Diwali's preceding days, Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali, and Govardhan Puja.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Bhai Dooj observed?
Bhai Dooj is observed on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya tithi, usually two days after Diwali, and is the final day of the Diwali festival. The tilak is done in the aparahna (afternoon) while Dwitiya prevails.
Is Bhai Dooj 2026 on 10 or 11 November?
In 2026 Bhai Dooj is on Wednesday, 11 November. Dwitiya tithi runs from 2:00 PM on 10 November to 3:53 PM on 11 November, so on 10 November only half the afternoon falls in Dwitiya, while on 11 November both sunrise and the whole afternoon do. The tilak muhurat is 1:10 to 3:20 PM on 11 November (New Delhi).
Why is Bhai Dooj called Yama Dwitiya?
It is believed that on this very tithi, Yamraj visited his sister Yamuna's home and received her tilak, which is why the day is also named after him as 'Yama Dwitiya'.
What is the difference between Bhai Dooj and Raksha Bandhan?
Both are festivals celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, but Raksha Bandhan falls on the full moon of the Sawan month, while Bhai Dooj falls on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, at the conclusion of Diwali.
What traditions are observed on Bhai Dooj?
Sisters perform their brother's aarti, apply a tilak, and feed him sweets, while brothers in return offer a gift or money and promise their protection.