Bhai Dooj 2025 Date & Muhurat – True Story and Celebration Guide
Bhai Dooj 2025
Short summary: Bhai Dooj (also called Bhau-beej, Bhai Tika, Bhai Phonta) is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya — the second lunar day after the new-moon (Diwali). In 2025 this falls in the last week of October; most widely used Hindu panchāng sources show Thursday–Friday, 23 October 2025 as the observed Bhai Dooj with local variations in muhurat (auspicious time). Some calendars list a nearby date (Oct 24) due to how the Dwitiya tithi spans local timezones and panchāng calculations. (Paytm)
Exact date(s)
- Most commonly observed date for Bhai Dooj 2025: 23 October 2025 (Kartik Shukla Paksha, Dwitiya). This is the date given by mainstream Hindu calendar sites and festival guides for India.
- Why some calendars show Oct 24 (or Oct 24–25): Lunar tithis (like Dwitiya) are based on the Moon’s position and can start or end at different local times. If the Dwitiya tithi begins late in the day or extends into the next civil day in a particular location, different panchāng interpretations (or different city-specific calculations) may list a neighbouring civil date as the festival day. That’s why you’ll sometimes see Oct 23 or Oct 24 listed. Always check a reliable local panchāng for your city
| City | Date | Tithi begins / ends (approx) | Auspicious Tilak / Aparahna Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 23 Oct 2025 (Thu) | Dwitiya begins Oct 22 19:46, ends Oct 23 22:16 (IST) (Drik Panchang) | ~12:58 PM to ~3:12 PM IST (Drik Panchang) |
| Mumbai | 23 Oct 2025 (Thu) | Dwitiya begins Oct 22 20:16, ends Oct 23 22:46 (Drik Panchang) | ~1:32 PM to ~3:51 PM IST (Drik Panchang) |
| General India (national guideline) | 23 Oct 2025 | Dwitiya begins Oct 23 00:46, ends Oct 24 03:16 (Moneycontrol) | ~12:48 PM to ~3:24 PM IST (Moneycontrol) |
- The tilak/aparahna time is when the ritual of sister doing tilak to brother is most auspicious.
- The tithi (Dwitiya) must be valid during the time of ritual—so ensure your city’s timings align.
- If your city’s actual tilak time differs (due to local sunrise/sunset or panchāng differences), use the one from a trusted local panchāng.
Auspicious timing (Muhurat)
Because muhurat depends on location and how the Dwitiya tithi overlaps with local time:
- Typical/commonly-published muhurat (example): many sources list an afternoon to early-evening muhurat for Bhai Dooj — for instance ~11:30 AM – 1:05 PM IST (approx.) for New Delhi-region timings as published in festival guides.
- DrikPanchang city-specific example (New Delhi / India examples): DrikPanchang lists Bhai Tika / Bhai Dooj timing details (for 2025 the site shows the Dwitiya muhurat and an aparahna window around early–mid afternoon — e.g., 1:13 PM to 3:28 PM IST for the location used on that page). Use the site with your city selected to get precise start and end times
Rule of thumb: Use a trustworthy local panchāng (online or printed) for your city and perform the tilak ceremony during the daylight hours when the Dwitiya tithi is present. If Dwitiya overlaps two civil dates for your place, perform the ritual when Dwitiya is present and convenient in daylight, preferably during a muhurat given by that panchāng.
Significance & mythological background (Sanātan perspective)
-
Bhai Dooj celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. The festival recalls the legend of Yama (God of Death) and his sister Yamuna (or the sister who welcomed Yama home) — when Yama visited his sister after a long time, she performed tilak and aarti, prayed for his long life, and Yama blessed her and promised protection. From then on, brothers who receive tilak on this day are believed to be granted long life and protection from untimely death. The ritual is thus both familial and dharmic — rooted in puranic narrative and family duty. (Drik Panchang)
True Story Behind Bhai Dooj
According to Hindu Purāṇas, long ago there lived Yama, the God of Death, and his beloved sister Yamuna, the river goddess (daughter of Surya Dev and Sandhya).Yamuna loved her brother deeply and often invited him to visit her home. But due to Yama’s duties as the Lord of Death, he couldn’t visit her for a long time.Finally, after years, Yama decided to meet his sister.When Yama arrived at Yamuna’s home, she welcomed him with immense love and devotion. She performed an aarti, applied a tilak (vermilion mark) on his forehead, and served him delicious food.Yama was moved by her affection and pure heart.Pleased with his sister’s hospitality, Yama asked her to request a boon.Yamuna said, “O Brother! May every sister perform tilak for her brother on this day and may no one fear death on this auspicious day.”Yama granted her wish and declared that any brother who receives tilak and blessings from his sister on this day shall be protected from untimely death and misfortune.प्राचीन समय में सूर्य देव और संख्या देवी के दो संताने थीं — यमराज (मृत्यु के देवता) और यमुना (पवित्र नदी)।
यमुना अपने भाई यमराज से बहुत प्रेम करती थीं और बार-बार उन्हें अपने घर आने का निमंत्रण देती थीं,परंतु यमराज अपने कर्तव्यों में व्यस्त रहने के कारण नहीं जा पाते थे।
कई वर्षों बाद, एक दिन यमराज ने अपनी बहन यमुना से मिलने का निश्चय किया।
जब यमराज यमुना के घर पहुँचे, तो यमुना ने उनका अत्यंत श्रद्धा और प्रेम से स्वागत किया।
उन्होंने अपने भाई के माथे पर तिलक लगाया, आरती उतारी, भोजन कराया और उनके दीर्घायु होने की प्रार्थना की।
यमराज अपनी बहन के स्नेह से इतने प्रसन्न हुए कि उन्होंने वर माँगने को कहा।
यमुना ने कहा — “भैया, मेरी यही इच्छा है कि आज के दिन जो भी बहन अपने भाई का तिलक करे, उसके भाई को दीर्घायु और सुख-समृद्धि का आशीर्वाद मिले।”
यमराज ने उसकी यह इच्छा पूर्ण की और कहा कि “जो भी भाई इस दिन अपनी बहन से तिलक करवाएगा, उसे अकाल मृत्यु का भय नहीं रहेगा।” तभी से यह दिन "यम द्वितीया" के नाम से प्रसिद्ध हुआ, जो आज भाई दूज के रूप में मनाया जाता है।
अन्य कथा — श्रीकृष्ण और सुभद्रा
एक अन्य मान्यता के अनुसार, जब भगवान श्रीकृष्ण ने नरकासुर का वध किया
तो वे अपनी बहन सुभद्रा से मिलने गए।
सुभद्रा ने भी उनका तिलक किया और उनकी रक्षा की कामना की।
इस दिन को भी भाई-दूज के रूप में याद किया जाता है।
Step-by-step Bhai Dooj rituals (simple, Sanātan way)
- Wake, bathe & dress: Sisters (and brothers if visiting) bathe and wear clean clothes — often traditional attire.
- Prepare the thali: A thali (plate) is arranged with red kumkum/sindoor, rice (akshat), diya (small lamp), flowers, sweets (mithai), and sometimes a small gift. Optionally include a roli/tilak mixture and incense.
- Tilak / Tika: Sister applies a tilak (a vertical mark) on the brother’s forehead with kumkum/roli, adds a few grains of rice, prays for his long life (mantra or silent prayer), and performs arati (circled lamp).
- Aparahna / meal: Sister feeds sweets or a small meal to the brother (this is symbolic of care and blessing). Brothers bless the sister and usually present gifts or money.
- Knot or raksha (optional): In some regions brothers tie a protective thread or kalava on sister’s wrist, or exchange tokens.
- Visit & exchange: If brothers cannot visit in person, sisters can perform the ritual in front of a picture or send a video call; brothers can send gifts afterward. (But traditionally in-person tilak is ideal.)
Regional names & differences
- Maharashtra / Gujarat: Often called Bhau Beej — similar rituals, exchange of gifts.
- Bengal / Odisha: Known as Bhai Phonta — Bengal’s Bhai Phonta has elaborate tilak and community customs.
- Nepal: Called Bhai Tika and is the final day of the five-day Tihar festival — with multi-tiered tika patterns and special garlands. Nepali Bhai Tika timings and rituals are a festive culmination.
Practical notes for 2025 celebrations
- Most likely civil date to schedule family gatherings: 23 Oct 2025 (confirm with your local panchāng).
- Check muhurat for your city: use a reliable panchāng (DrikPanchang, local temple calendar, or printed panchāng) and pick an aparahna (afternoon) muhurat when Dwitiya tithi is present. Example muhurats published for New Delhi region vary from late morning to mid-afternoon in many guides — e.g., ~11:30 AM–1:05 PM or 1:13 PM–3:28 PM depending on the source and the city page.
- If you’re publishing for a national audience: put a short note: “Confirm the exact local muhurat with your city’s panchāng before performing the ritual.” (This avoids confusion due to tithi overlaps.)
Gift ideas & modern twists
- Traditional: clothes, sweets (ladoos, pedas), dry fruits, silver coin or small jewelry.
- Practical: gift cards, grooming kits, watches, or a thoughtful experience (dinner, trip).
- For long distance: schedule a video-tilak + courier a special gift; include an eco-friendly sweets box.
- Eco-friendly tip: use earthen diya, avoid plastic/foil, prefer organic flowers and reusable gift wraps.
Sample social caption & wishes
“Happy Bhai Dooj! May the bond of love between brothers and sisters grow stronger every year. Blessed by the light of love and traditionBhai Dooj 2025 — Celebrating the eternal bond of sibling love (Kartik Shukla Dwitiya)”
Spiritual Message
Bhai Dooj is not just a festival — it’s a reminder of the eternal bond between siblings, symbolizing:
- Love without conditions
- Protection through prayer
- Gratitude for family relationships
In Sanātan Dharma, every relationship represents a divine duty (Dharma). The brother promises to protect his sister, and the sister promises to pray for his prosperity and longevity.
Modern Reflection
Even in today’s digital age, the essence of Bhai Dooj remains the same — whether performed in person or over a video call. It’s a festival that connects hearts beyond distance and reminds us that family is our first temple and love is our greatest offering.
“Bhai Dooj is the day when Yamuna’s love transformed even the Lord of Death into a symbol of protection and blessing — proving that true affection can conquer fear, and love can defeat even death.”