Bhaiya Dooj is celebrated on the second day of Kartik Shukla Paksha.
Sisters apply Tika and pray for the well-being of their brothers.
Brothers offer gifts and blessings in return.
It is also called Bhau Beej, Bhatra Dwitiya, and Bhathru Dwithiya.
The festival emphasizes sibling love, protection, and respect.
Details
Bhaiya Dooj is a cherished Hindu festival that celebrates the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. It falls on the second lunar day (Dwitiya) of Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month, two days after Diwali. On this day, sisters invite their brothers home and perform a special "Tika" ceremony by applying a vermillion mark on their foreheads. This ritual is accompanied by prayers for their brothers’ long life, success, and protection from all evils. In return, brothers bless their sisters and offer them gifts as tokens of appreciation and love.
The celebration of Bhaiya Dooj goes beyond rituals—it's a reaffirmation of sibling affection and familial duty. A traditional thali (plate) is prepared with roli
(red powder), rice grains, sweets, and a lit diya (lamp). After the Tika ritual, the siblings often share a festive meal together. In some regions, sisters perform aarti and apply rice grains mixed with curd to their brother’s forehead. This gesture symbolizes prosperity and longevity.
Known by various names like Bhau Beej in Maharashtra, Bhatra Dwitiya in Haryana, and Bhathru Dwithiya in South India, Bhaiya Dooj echoes a pan-Indian celebration of sibling unity and heartfelt devotion across cultural variations.
