Isaac3301 at 04:15, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T04:15:45Z

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{{Short description|Hindu festival}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Bhai Dooj
| type = Hindu
| image =
| caption =
| nickname = Bhai Tika, Bhau Beej, Bhai Phonta, Bhratri Dwitiya
| observedby = [[Hindu]]s
| date = Kartika 2 ([[Hindu calendar#amanta|amanta]] tradition) <br> Kartika 17 ([[Hindu calendar#purnimanta|purnimanta]] tradition)
| date2021 = November 6 <ref>{{Cite web|title=Nepali Calendar 2078 Kartik {{!}} Hamro Nepali Patro|url=https://english.hamropatro.com/calendar/2078/7|access-date=2021-07-27|website=english.hamropatro.com}}</ref>
| observances =
| celebrations =
| longtype = Religious
| significance = Honours brother and sister's love, connection, and togetherness
| frequency = Annual
| alt = Bhai tika
| date2023 = 15 November (i.e. Kartik 29)
}}
{{Hindu festival date info}}
'''Bhai Dooj (Also known as,''' Bhai Tika, Bhaubeej, Bhai Beej, Bhai Phonta or Bhratri Dwitiya''')''' is a festival celebrated by [[Hindu]]s on the second lunar day of the [[Paksha|Shukla Paksha]] (bright fortnight) of [[Kartika (month)|Kartika]], the eighth month of the [[Vikram Samvat]] Hindu calendar or the Shalivahana Shaka calendar. It is celebrated during the [[Diwali]] or [[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]] festival and [[Holi]] festival. The celebrations of this day are similar to the festival of [[Raksha Bandhan]].

[[File:Newari traditional painting about Kijapuja.jpg|thumb|300px|A traditional [[Newar people|Newari]] painting about Kija puja's legend.]]

In the southern part of India, the day is celebrated as '''Yama Dwitiya'''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 15, 2020|title=Bhai Dooj 2020 date, time and significance|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/rituals-puja/bhai-dooj-2020-date-time-and-significance/articleshow/79167175.cms|access-date=2020-11-15|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> In the Kayastha community, two Bhai Doojs are celebrated. The more famous one comes on the second day after Diwali. But the lesser-known one is celebrated a day or two after Diwali. In Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, a ritual is also followed, a dry coconut (named gola in regional language) with {{lang|hi-Latn|klewa}}{{clarify|date=January 2023}} tied along its width for worshipping is also used at the time of doing ''[[Arti (Hinduism)|aarti]]'' of a brother.<ref>{{Cite web|title=भाई-बहन के परस्पर प्रेम और स्नेह का प्रतीक भाई दूज|url=https://www.jagran.com/haryana/kurukshetra-bhai-duj-haryana-kurukshetra-the-symbol-of-love-and-affection-between-brother-and-sister-18619043.html|access-date=2020-11-15|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}}</ref> In Bengal, the day is celebrated as Bhai Phota, which comes one day after Kali Puja.

==Regional Variations==
The festival is known as:

*'''Bhai Dooj''' ({{Langx|hi|भाई दूज}}) in the entire Northern part of India, observed during the [[Diwali]] festival. In [[Awadh]] and [[Purvanchal]] regions of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Bihar]], it is also known as '''Bhaiya Dooj'''. It is widely celebrated by [[Maithils]] in [[Nepal]] and [[Bihar]] as '''Bhardutiya''' and people from various other ethnic groups. The first day of this New Year is observed as [[Govardhan Puja|Govardhan Pūja]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-09|title=Bhai Dooj 2018 Date in India: When is Bhai Dooj in 2018|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/religion/bhai-dooj-2018-date-in-india-when-is-bhai-dooj-in-2018-5428817/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
*'''Bhai Teeka''' ({{Langx|ne|भाइटीका}}) in Nepal, where it is the most important festival after [[Dashain]] (Vijaya Dashmi / Dussehra). Observed on the fifth day of [[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]] festival, it is widely celebrated by [[Maithils]] in [[Nepal]] as '''Bhardutiya Bhai Tika''' followed by the people of various other ethnic groups among [[Madhesi people|Madhesi]]s. While, the [[Newar people|Newari]]s celebrate it as '''Kija Puja'''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-15|title=Happy Bhai Dooj 2020: Wishes, greetings, messages, quotes, SMS, WhatsApp and Facebook status to share on 'Bhai Tika'|url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/lifestyle/happy-bhai-dooj-2020-wishes-greetings-messages-quotes-sms-whatsapp-and-facebook-status-to-share-on-bhai-tika-10019878|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Jagran English}}</ref> The sisters put a vertical Tika of seven colours known as Saptarangi Tika in their brother's forehead.
*'''Bhai Phonta''' ({{Langx|bn|ভাই ফোঁটা}}) in Bengal and it takes place every year on the second day after [[Kali Puja]]. It is mainly observed in [[West Bengal]], [[Tripura]], [[Bangladesh]].
*'''Bhai Jiuntia''' or '''Bhai Jitiyā''' ({{Langx|or|ଭାଇ ଜିଉନ୍ତିଆ}}) only in western [[Odisha]] and some parts of Central Odisha.
*'''Bhau Beej''', or '''Bhav Bij''' ({{Langx|mr|भाऊ बीज}}) or '''Bhai Beej''' amongst the [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] and [[Konkani language|Konkani]]-speaking communities in the states of [[Maharashtra]], [[Goa]], [[Gujarat]] and [[North Karnataka]].
*Another name for the day is '''Yamadwitheya''' or '''Yamadvitiya''', after a legendary meeting between [[Yama (Hinduism)|Yama]] the god of Death and his sister Yamuna (the famous river) on Dwitheya (the second day after new moon).
*Other names include '''Bhatru Dviteeya''', or '''Bhatri Ditya''' or '''Bhaghini Hastha Bhojanamu''' in [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]].

According to [[Hindu religion]], after slaying the evil [[Asura|demon]] [[Narakasura]], Lord [[Krishna]] visited his sister [[Subhadra]] who gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers. She also affectionately applied ''[[tilaka]]'' on Krishna's forehead. Some believe this to be the origin of the festival.

==The ceremony==
[[File: Bhaitika 02.jpg|thumb|Tilak of seven colors used in Nepalese celebration]]
On the day of the festival, sisters invite their brothers for a sumptuous meal often including their favourite dishes/sweets. The procedure may be different in Bihar and [[central India]]. The whole ceremony signifies the duty of a brother to protect his sister, as well as a sister's blessings for her brother.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bhai Dooj |url=https://www.brezzegifts.com/ |access-date=2015-12-25 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

Carrying forward the ceremony in a traditional style, sisters perform ''[[Aarti|arti]]'' for their brother and apply a red ''[[tilaka|tika]]'' on the brother's forehead. This ''tika'' ceremony on the occasion of Bhai Bij signifies the sister's sincerest prayers for the long and happy life of her brother and they treat them with gifts. In return, elder brothers bless their sisters and may treat them also with gifts or cash.

As it is customary in [[Haryana]] and [[Maharashtra]] to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Bhau-beej, women who do not have a brother worship the Moon [[Chandra]] instead. They apply ''[[Mehndi|mehendi]]'' on girls as their tradition. The sister whose brother lives far away from her and cannot go to her house, sends her sincerest prayers for the long and happy life of her brother through the moon god. She performs ''aarti'' for the Moon. This is the reason why children of Hindu parents affectionately call the Moon ''Chandamama'' (''Chanda'' means moon and ''mama'' means mother's brother).

==The celebration==
[[File:Bhaiphonta sandesh - Kolkata 2022-10-27 090519.jpg|thumb|left|Sandesh with the word 'Bhaiphonta' written is offered by Bengali sisters during Bhai Phonta.]]

=== Bhai Phonta ===
[[File:Bhai Dooj (Bhai Phonta).jpg|thumb|150px|Bhai Phonta at a Bengali household in West Bengal, India.]]
Bhai Phonta in [[West Bengal, India|West Bengal]] is celebrated with much splendour. The ceremony is marked with many rituals along with a grand feast arranged for the brothers. It is necessary that, both brother and sister are more than 5 years of age.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-15|title=Bhai Dooj 2020: Date, time and significance of festival; all you need to know|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/bhai-dooj-2020-date-time-and-significance-of-festival-all-you-need-to-know-9008411.html|access-date=2020-11-15|website=Firstpost}}</ref>

=== Bhai Bij ===
The festival of Bhai Bij is popular in [[Haryana]], [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]] and [[Goa]] and is celebrated with great fervour and gaiety. Brothers and sisters look forward to the occasion with immense enthusiasm. To add charm to the occasion, Bhai Bij gifts are given to brothers from sisters as a token of love and appreciation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-16|title=Bhai Dooj 2020: Know all about the history, significance and celebrations of Yama Dwitiya here|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/bhai-dooj-2020-history-significance-and-celebrations-of-yama-dwitiya/story-pkZiSdu9S93YiCfkOSJp5M.html|access-date=2021-11-05|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

Bhav Bij is a time for family reunions as all brothers and sisters in the family get together. Close relatives and friends are also invited to celebrate the Bhav Bij in many families. Special dishes for the festival include the Maharashtra sweet called ''[[basundi]]'' ''[[poori]]'' or ''kheerni poori''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Bhai Dooj Puja 2019: How to do puja on Bhai Dooj, Puja vidhi and Timings |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/events/bhai-dooj-puja-2018-how-to-do-puja-on-bhai-dooj-puja-vidhi-and-timings/articleshow/66549142.cms|access-date=2020-11-15|website=The Times of India|date=21 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
On this occasion, brothers and sisters exchange gifts. And both of them pray for their long and happy life.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marketing |first=Yuqtam |date=17 June 2025 |title=How Bhai Dooj Is Celebrated in 2025: Rituals & Traditions |url=https://yuqtam.in/how-is-bhai-dooj-celebrated-in-2025/ |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250617102147/https://yuqtam.in/how-is-bhai-dooj-celebrated-in-2025/ |archive-date=17 June 2025 |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Yuqtam Marketing |language=en }}</ref>

=== Bhai Tika in Nepal ===
Bhai Tika in [[Nepal]] is also known as ''Bhai Tihar'' meaning ''[[Tihar (festival)]] of brothers''. On this day, sisters pray to [[Yamraj]] for a long life and prosperity for their brothers.<ref name="diwa">{{cite web|title=Bhai-Tika / Bhai-Teeka|url=http://www.diwalifestival.org/bhai-tika.html|work=diwalifestival.org|publisher=Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India|access-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> The ritual involves sisters marking the forehead of their brothers with a seven coloured long tika. The rest of the ritual is similar to that performed by Hindus elsewhere. A special garland of the ''[[Gomphrena globosa]]'' flower is made by the sister as an offering to their brothers.

==Rabindranath Tagore and the Partition of Bengal==
Rachel Fell McDermott, Professor of Asian Studies at Columbia University, describes [[Rabindranath Tagore]]'s ''rakhi-bandhan'' ceremonies, inspired by the Bhai Dooj ritual, which were organized to protest the [[1905 Partition of Bengal]]<blockquote> In 1905 Rabindranath Tagore extended the symbolism of ''Brother's Second'', a ritual of bonding between brothers and sisters that is celebrated right after the Pujas have concluded, to evoke friendship between Hindus and Muslims: members of both communities would tie red threads of brotherhood on each other's wrists. All throughout the partition period, these rakhi-bandhan ceremonies were regularly announced in the Bengali and English papers. In addition, some landlords, even the British Indian Association, saw that the boycott and emphasis upon swadeshi items were disturbing peace with rural Muslims in their areas, and withdrew their support.<ref name="McDermott2011">{{citation|last=McDermott|first=Rachel Fell|title=Revelry, Rivalry, and Longing for the Goddesses of Bengal: The Fortunes of Hindu Festivals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xCA2AX97EOcC&pg=PA63|year=2011|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-52787-3|page=63}}</ref></blockquote>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{HinduFestivals}}

[[Category:Diwali]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:October observances]]
[[Category:November observances]]
[[Category:Festivals in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]]
[[Category:Observances set by the Vikram Samvat calendar]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:Festivals in Nepal]]
[[Category:Traditions involving siblings]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in Bangladesh]]

Bhai Dooj - Revision history

Isaac3301 at 04:15, 5 February 2026