Bhai Dooj 2025 Date, Puja Timing, Rituals & Story

Bhai Dooj is an important and major Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Celebrated across India, on this auspicious day, Sisters perform several rituals like applying tilak on their brother’s forehead, offering prayers, aarti, and sweets to him. This is a special festival for brothers and sisters, where sisters pray for long lives of their brothers. In return, brothers also give gifts to their sisters.

This year (2025) will also mark the Bhai Dooj festival with great pomp and show. Let’s understand the festival in more detail and find out the date, time, rituals, story behind the event, and other significances.

When is Bhai Dooj in 2025: Bhai Dooj 2025 Dates

Let’s discover the Bhai Dooj 2025 date & time so that you can plan your celebration accordingly:

Bhai Dooj Date: This year, in 2025, the grand festival of Bhai Dooj is going to fall on 23rd October, 2025 (Thursday).
Bhai Dooj Timing: This year, the timing for the Bhai Dooj celebration is from 01:13 pm to 03:28 pm on 23rd October as per the Indian Standard Time (IST).
Dutiye tithi start: 22 October at 08:16 pm
Dutiye tithi end: 23 October at 10: 46 pm

The Bhai Dooj date and timing are important, and during this period, all the Bhai Dooj ceremonies are performed within the time frame. This year, on October 23, 2025, 01:13 pm to 03:28 pm is an auspicious time format for celebrating the festival.

Bhai Dooj 2025 Muhurats

The Bhai Dooj Muhurats in the year 2025 are for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, and as per the Indian standard (New Delhi) timing, the sub-muhurats fall from 01:13 pm to 03:28 pm on October 23, 2025. However, the timing may slightly vary, and it is better to check the local panchang for Bhai Dooj Muhurats in 2025.

What is Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj is a sacred Indian festival that signifies the sacred bond between a brother and sister. The festival is also known as Bhratri Dwitiya or Yama Dwitiya, and it falls on the second lunar day of the new moon in the Hindu lunar month of Kartika. It also marks the end of Diwali and is celebrated every year after the two days of Diwali.

Bhai Dooj meaning is also significant as it is derived from the words Bhai and Dooj. Bhai means brother and Dooj refers to the second day after the new Moon. The festival honours the bond and relationship between the brothers and sisters, and it reflects the care, love, and protection between the siblings.

Why Bhai Dooj is Celebrated

Bhai Dooj is celebrated to honour the sisters brothers’ relationship and for their well-being. On this auspicious day, following the long-running tradition, Sisters apply tilak (sacred mark) on their brother’s forehead, tie thread (dhaga) on their arm, and perform Aarti. This is carried out to ensure the safety, protection, long life, and success for the brothers from their sisters, as in Hinduism, such acts are believed to be spiritually aligned and connected to divinity. Also in return brothers also wish their sisters, offer them gifts, and pray for their protection and long lives.

Bhai Dooj Rituals

Sisters perform tilak and tie a protective thread (dhaga) on their brother’s arm.
Aarti is done to pray for the safety, long life, and success of brothers.
Brothers, in return, bless their sisters and offer gifts as a token of love.
The festival strengthens family bonds and carries spiritual significance in Hindu tradition.

Story Behind Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj, also called Yama Dwitiya, is a festival that celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. The story behind this festival is full of love, respect, and blessings.

One popular story is about Yama, the God of Death, and his sister Yamuna. Yama once visited his sister’s house, and she welcomed him warmly, offered him delicious food, and prayed for his long life. Touched by her love, Yama blessed her that every year he would visit her on this day. From then on, sisters perform tilak and pray for their brothers’ well-being, and brothers give gifts in return.

Another story highlights the deep bond between Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra. After Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, he visited Subhadra’s home. She welcomed him with love, applied a sacred tilak on his forehead, and served him food with devotion. This beautiful act reflects the care, respect, and affection siblings share, and it is believed to be one of the origins of the Bhai Dooj festival.

Bhai Dooj symbolizes the love, protection, and lifelong bond between brothers and sisters. It is a day when siblings show respect, care, and blessings for each other.

Also check out our thoughts on Swastik Symbol in Hinduism

Summary

Bhai Dooj is more than just a festival; it’s a celebration of the unique bond between brothers and sisters. Rooted in ancient stories of Yama and Krishna, it reminds us of love, care, and blessings. By performing rituals like tilak and offering prayers, siblings strengthen their relationship and seek happiness, protection, and long life for each other. It’s a day of joy, family togetherness, and gratitude for the special bond we share.