Bhai Duj 2025 in India

Bhai Duj is a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, observed two days after Diwali. Sisters perform rituals, pray for their brothers' well-being, and apply a ceremonial tikka, while brothers give gifts and promise protection and support.

Bhai Duj: A Public Holiday?

Bhai Duj is a public holiday in some states of India, including Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where offices, schools, and businesses remain closed for celebrations. In other parts of the country, it is typically observed as a regular working day or an optional holiday.

Bhai Duj

Bhai Duj, also known as Bhaiya Dooj or Bhau Beej in different regions of India, is a festival that celebrates the loving bond between brothers and sisters. Its origins can be traced back to Hindu mythology. One legend says that Yama, the God of Death, visited his sister Yamuna on this day. She welcomed him with a tilak (ceremonial mark) on his forehead, offered him a meal, and prayed for his well-being. Touched by her love, Yama declared that any brother who receives a tilak from his sister on this day will enjoy a long life and prosperity. Another story is associated with Lord Krishna, who visited his sister Subhadra after defeating the demon Narakasura, and she performed a similar ritual to bless him.

Bhai Duj Celebration in India

Bhai Duj in India is celebrated with great affection and joy, especially in the northern and western parts of the country. On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes or visit them to perform the traditional tilak ceremony. They apply a sacred tilak on their brothers' foreheads, perform an aarti, and pray for their health, happiness, and success. Brothers, in turn, give gifts and promise to protect and support their sisters throughout their lives. The ceremony is often followed by a shared meal or the exchange of sweets, strengthening family bonds.

Bhai Duj holds immense cultural and emotional importance, as it reaffirms the bond of love and care between siblings. It also emphasizes the role of family and the values of mutual respect, protection, and gratitude. Beyond its rituals, the festival is a time to express appreciation for one another and cherish familial relationships. Bhai Duj, much like Raksha Bandhan, highlights the timeless tradition of sibling love that forms the heart of Indian culture.

Bhai Duj Observances