Bhai Dooj 2025: Date, Muhurat Timings, Significance & Rituals

This year, Bhai Dooj falls on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Marking the final day of the five-day Diwali festivities, it celebrates the cherished bond between brothers and sisters.

On this day, sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being, while brothers reciprocate with gifts, blessings, and promises of protection.

Date and Muhurat Timings

Bhai Dooj 2025 occurs on the Dwitiya (2nd) Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. The tithi begins on 22 October at 8:16 PM and ends on 23 October at 10:46 PM.

The most auspicious time for the tilak ceremony is during the Aparahna period, from 1:13 PM to 3:28 PM on 23 October.

Significance of Bhai Dooj

The festival embodies love, care, and protection. The tilak ritual symbolizes the sister’s prayers for her brother’s long life, and in return, the brother blesses her and often presents gifts.

Folklore and Legends

Yama & Yamuna

According to legend, Yamuna welcomed her brother Yama, applied a tilak, performed aarti, and served him sweets. Touched by her devotion, Yama blessed that any brother receiving his sister’s tilak on this day would enjoy a long life. This is why the day is also called Yama Dwitiya.

Krishna & Subhadra

After Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, his sister Subhadra welcomed him with tilak and sweets, which inspired the tilak ritual now central to Bhai Dooj celebrations.

Step-by-Step Rituals

Sister prepares a puja thali with diya, roli/tilak, akshat (rice), sweets, and coconut.
Brother sits facing east or north. Sister applies tilak, performs aarti, and prays for his health and prosperity.

Brother gives gifts (money, clothes, or sweets) in return. Sisters often serve a special meal or sweets.
Families may visit one another, and in some regions, special festive dishes are prepared.
For brothers living far away, sisters may perform the ritual symbolically via phone or video, sometimes worshipping the moon in place of their brother.