Bhai Dooj 2025: Date, Story, Puja Rituals, and Significance of Yam Dwitiya

Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali, followed by Bhai Dooj. Many festivals are celebrated in India. Like Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj symbolizes the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. Why is Bhai Dooj celebrated? What is the story of Bhai Dooj? How is Bhai Dooj celebrated? You will find answers to all these questions in today's article. 

The relationship between a brother and a sister is unique. There are no brothers and sisters who do not fight, but they are also very good friends with a deep understanding. They protect each other unconditionally and have deep love. The feelings and love between brothers and sisters are difficult to understand. 

What is Bhai Dooj? 

The festival of Bhai Dooj is celebrated after Diwali. Another name for Bhai Dooj is Bhaiya Dooj. Like Raksha Bandhan, this festival of Bhai Dooj is also a special festival celebrated by Hindus. This festival is also known as Bhaiya Dooj, Bhai Tika, and Yam Dwitiya. It is celebrated every year on the third day of Diwali. Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the second day of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the month of Kartik. 

On this day, sisters apply a tilak (a mark of the moon) on their brother's forehead and pray for his long life and prosperity. This festival reflects a sister's affection for her brother. It is believed that by performing proper puja on this day, Yamraj is pleased and fulfills all the wishes of the devotee. If a brother eats a meal at his sister's house on this day, he is blessed with a long life. 

A Story Related to Bhai Dooj 

According to a mythological belief, Yamuna fed Yamraj at her home on this day, and pleased with this, Yamraj freed all beings from hell. Upon attaining liberation, all beings were relieved of their suffering and satisfied. All beings were liberated from sin and freed from all worldly bondages. Together, they celebrated this festival, bringing happiness to Yamaloka. 

This date became known as Yama Dwitiya, and Bhai Dooj is celebrated every year on this date. It is believed that a brother who eats at his sister's house on this date is blessed with happiness, wealth, and prosperity, and all his wishes are fulfilled. 

Bhai Dooj Puja Rituals 

On Bhai Dooj, sisters invite their brothers home, apply a tilak to them, and feed them. On this day, sisters should bathe in the morning and first worship their favorite deity and Lord Vishnu. Afterward, make a square with ground rice and have their brother sit on it. 

Apply rice paste to their brother's palm, then apply a little vermillion, place pumpkin flowers, betel nuts, and money on their hands, and slowly drip water from their hands. A tilak is then applied to the brother's forehead, and a sacred thread is tied. After this, sweeten their brother's mouth with sweets. After this, feed them food and offer them betel leaves. 

Feeding betel leaves to your brother on Bhai Dooj is believed to ensure your sister's good fortune. After the tilak and aarti, brothers should present gifts to their sisters and promise always to protect them. On this day, bathing in the Yamuna River while holding the hand of a brother and sister protects Yamraj from untimely death. 

Significance of Bhai Dooj 

According to religious texts, Yamuna granted a boon to her brother Yamraj on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya in return for his respect and hospitality; hence, Bhai Dooj is also known as Yam Dwitiya. According to Yamraj's boon, anyone who bathes in the Yamuna and worships Yamraj on this day does not have to go to Yamlok after death. 

Yamraj, the daughter of the Sun, is considered to be the form of the Goddess who removes all suffering. Therefore, bathing in the Yamuna River and worshipping Yamuna and Yamraj on Yam Dwitiya holds special significance. On this day, sisters apply tilak to their brothers and, with folded hands, pray to Yamraj for their long life. According to the Puranas, worship performed on this day pleases Yamraj and grants them their desired rewards. 

Read More: Govardhan Puja 2025: Significance, Date, Rituals & Celebration Guide