Bhai Dooj 2025: Date, Meaning, Rituals, Significance, and All You Need to Know….

What is Bhai Dooj?

Bhai Dooj is a Hindu festival that celebrates sibling love between brothers and sisters. It takes place on the second day of the Hindu month Kartika's bright half, which typically falls in October or November. In 2025, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Thursday, 23 October.The festival is also called Bhau-Beej, Bhai Phota or Bhai Fota among other names, depending on the region of India. It is a day when sisters pray for their brother’s long life and happiness, and brothers promise to protect and love their sisters.

Bhai Dooj 2025 Date – Key Details

Aspect	Details
Festival Name	Bhai Dooj (also known as Bhau Beej, Bhai Phota, or Bhai Fota)
Date	Thursday, 23 October 2025
Tithi	Dwitiya (second day) of Shukla Paksha in Kartika month
Meaning	‘Bhai’ means brother and ‘Dooj’ means the second day after the new moon
Significance	Celebrates the love and bond between brothers and sisters; sisters pray for promise to protect their sisters
Puja Rituals	Sisters apply tilak on brother’s forehead, perform aarti, offer sweets, and pray for their well-being; brothers give gifts in return
Other Names	Bhau Beej (Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka), Bhai Phota (West Bengal, Assam), Bhai Fota (Bihar, UP)

Meaning of Bhai Dooj

The name itself describes what it is:

• Bhai means brother.
• Dooj means the second day after the new moon.

The significance of the festival is that it symbolises the strong bond between brothers and sisters. Bhai Dooj is another example, like Raksha Bandhan, that reminds us of our love and care for one another and to value our promises in this precious relationship.

Why is Bhai Dooj Celebrated?

Bhai Dooj is celebrated to recognise the sibling's bond. On this day:

• Sisters pray for their brothers health, safety, and longevity.
• Brothers give gifts to their sisters to show love and concern.
• It brings the family closer and encourages all to value love and respect.

Rituals of Bhai Dooj

The day begins with a bathing ritual at dawn. After that, main rituals take place:

1. Tilak ceremony - The sister puts the tika (tilak) on her brother's forehead.
2. Aarti & prayers - The sisters do the aarti prayers wishing for a long life for their brothers.
3. Sweets & gifts - Brothers and sisters exchange sweets and gifts. Some sisters give their brothers a coconut as a symbol of purity.

How is Bhai Dooj Celebrated in Different States of India?

• West Bengal & Assam (Bhai Phota): Sisters apply sandalwood paste tika on their brothers and give them sweets for protection and well-being.
• Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa & Karnataka (Bhau Beej): Sisters draw a square on the ground, and brothers sit in the square, then the tilak and puja are complete.

In every state, gifting is very significant. Brothers and sisters exchange sweets, clothes, perfumes, and special gifts as a celebration of their special bond.

Significance of Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj is a festival that represents the love between siblings. On Bhai Dooj, sisters pray for their brother's long life, prosperity and happiness; and brothers guarantee to protect and support their sisters.The following three points help us understand the significance of Bhai Dooj:

• Reinforces family ties by enhancing the relationship between brothers and sisters.
• Reminds us of love and respect in sibling relationships.
• Spreads blessings and positivity in the family through prayers and rituals.

Just like Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj highlights the unbreakable bond of trust, love, and care between siblings.Bhai Dooj is a celebration today that is exciting not only for its rituals but also for the fun and love shared between siblings. Brothers may offer their sisters almost anything in the way of gifts; choices may include chocolates, dry fruits, clothes, or even gifts that are personalised.No matter how you celebrate – with laughter, sweets, or gifts – Bhai Dooj is about enjoying the bond of siblings and creating memories together.