Bhai Dooj 2025: Know the shubh muhurat, tilak time, significance, history and everything you need to know

Bhai Dooj is one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrating the special bond between brothers and sisters. It is also known by various names across India, including Bhau Beej, Bhatra Dwitiya, Bhai Dwitiya, and Bhathru Dwithiya. The festival marks the conclusion of the Diwali celebrations and is dedicated to honoring sibling love and care.

Bhai Dooj 2025 tilak time and muhurat

• Dwitiya Tithi Begins: October 22, 2025 – 08:16 PM
• Dwitiya Tithi Ends: October 23, 2025 – 10:46 PM
• Aparahna Time: October 23, 2025 – 01:13 PM to 03:28 PM

Bhai Dooj 2025 significance
On this auspicious day, sisters apply a tilak of roli and haldi on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life and well-being. In return, brothers bless their sisters and present them with gifts as a token of love and appreciation.

Read more: Bhai Dooj 2025 gift ideas: Running out of time? Here are the best last-minute gifts for your sibling

Regional Variations

• West Bengal: Known as the Phota festival, sisters observe a fast and feed their brothers after performing the tilak. Brothers then give gifts in return.
• Maharashtra & Goa: Called Bhao Beej, sisters complete the tilak ceremony and pray for their brothers’ longevity.
• Uttar Pradesh: Sisters often offer dried coconut to their brothers after the tilak.
• Nepal: Celebrated as Bhai Tihar, sisters perform the tilak ceremony early in the day while dressed in traditional attire.

Common Bhai Dooj Rituals

• Brothers and sisters wake up early and dress in festive traditional clothes.
• Some families also perform tilak on Lord Ganesha or Laddoo Gopal, considering them as their brothers.
• Sisters prepare homemade meals, sweets, and savory treats for their brothers.
• Either the sister visits her brother or the brother visits his sister to celebrate together.
• Sisters arrange a decorated plate with roli, akshat (unbroken rice), sweets, gifts, and dried coconut.
• The dried coconut is offered to the brother as a symbol of blessings and longevity.
• Brothers touch their sisters’ feet and give their blessings in return.
• Brothers gift money or presents (shagun) as a mark of love and respect.
• The celebration becomes even more special when sisters feed their brothers and spend the entire day with them, strengthening their bond.

History of Bhai Dooj
The tradition of Bhai Dooj has its roots in ancient Hindu mythology. According to the legend of Yama and Yamuna, on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, Goddess Yamuna warmly welcomed her brother, Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death, into her home. She performed a tilak ceremony on his forehead, offered him sweets, and prayed for his well-being and prosperity.

Moved by her love and devotion, Yamaraj granted a blessing that any brother who visits his sister on this day and receives a tilak from her would be granted a long, healthy, and prosperous life. Since then, this practice has been celebrated as Bhai Dooj, also known as Yama Dwitiya, across India.