Bhai Dooj 2025: Learn the auspicious time to apply the tilak

Bhai Dooj holds great significance in the five-day Diwali festival. This festival falls on the second day immediately after Diwali. Therefore, it is also called Yama Dwitiya. This festival symbolizes the unbreakable bond, trust, and affection between brother and sister.

On this day, sisters worship Bhai Dooj and apply a tilak on their brother’s forehead, praying for long life, good health, and prosperity. The brother then promises to protect his sister and expresses his love and blessings by giving her gifts.

When is Bhai Dooj 2025?

In 2025, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on October 23rd. Regarding the auspicious time, the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month begins at 8:16 pm on October 22nd. It will conclude the next day, October 23rd, at 10:46 pm.

Since the Udayatithi (the rising moon) is significant in Hinduism, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on October 23rd. The auspicious time for applying tilak (a mark of the moon) to one’s brother will be from 1:13 pm to 3:28 pm.

The Significance and Mythological Story of Bhai Dooj

There is a popular mythological story about Bhai Dooj, told in Sanatan Dharma. Yamuna, the daughter of Sun God, had a brother named Yamraj. Yamuna loved her brother very much. Consequently, she repeatedly invited him to her home and asked him for meals. However, due to his busy schedule, Yamraj was unable to come to her home.

One day, Yamraj went to his sister’s house at her request. Yamuna was delighted to see Yamraj at her home. Yamuna welcomed her brother with due ceremony, applied tilak (a mark of the moon), prepared delicious food, and served him with great affection. Yamraj asked his sister to ask for a boon. Yamuna then told her to visit his house every year on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya.

Sisters who apply tilak on their brothers’ foreheads on this day would have long and prosperous brothers. Yamraj granted this boon. After this, the festival of Bhai Dooj began to be celebrated every year on the second day of Kartik Shukla Paksha. Because it is associated with Yamraj, this festival is also called Yam Dwitiya.

Bhai Dooj Worship Method

On Bhai Dooj, take a bath in the Yamuna River in the morning. It is considered auspicious for brothers to bathe in the Yamuna River on this day. Afterward, sisters should worship a Duj made of cow dung or clay, which includes the worship of Lord Ganesha and Yama.

After the puja, have your brother sit on a wooden plank and apply a tilak of turmeric, rice, and roli to him. Tie a sacred thread around his hand. Afterward, feed him sweets. Also, touch the feet of your brother and sister and seek their blessings.

Bhai Dooj is a celebration of love and family unity. This festival teaches us to understand and cherish the importance of relationships in life. Even in today’s modern times, the form of Bhai Dooj may have changed, but its emotional meaning remains the same: a sister’s affection, a promise to protect her brother, and a commitment to the family’s well-being.