Bhai Dooj 2026

Puja Vidhi: Bengal (Bhai Phonta)

About the Festival

Bhai Phonta is a much-loved Bengali festival where sisters mark their brothers' foreheads with a phonta and pray for their long life and wellbeing. It takes place on the Dwitiya (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik.

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Sisters: Sisters give the phonta to their brothers and pray for their long life and protection.
• Brothers: Brothers receive the phonta and the blessings of their sisters, and give them gifts in return.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Bhai Phonta: The phonta is given by the sister on Dwitiya (some families give it on Pratipada, the day before). Check the timings for your city on this page.
• Sweets, Gifts and the Family Meal: Once the phonta is given, sweets and gifts are exchanged, followed by a large family meal, by day or at night.

The Katha (Story of Yama and Yamuna)

Once upon a time, Surya, the Sun God, and his wife Sanjna had a daughter, Yamuna, and a son, Yama. Unable to bear the heat of Surya, Sanjna left her shadow, Chhaya, in heaven and went to earth alone.

Chhaya mistreated the children, and Surya did not stop her. At last she drove Yamuna out of heaven. After Yamuna was married, the brother and sister hardly met, and each missed the other deeply.

Two days after Kali Puja on earth, Yama went to see his elder sister. Yamuna was overjoyed. She fed him lovingly and prayed for his welfare. Pleased, Yama offered her a gift of her choice, and Yamuna asked on behalf of all sisters: "On this Dwitiya, let every brother remember his sister, and let every sister pray for her brother's long life."

Yama granted her wish for everyone and promised to come whenever she called him. By the power of her prayers, Yama himself won immortality. Since that day, sisters have given the phonta to their brothers on Bhai Phonta, seeking their long life.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before giving the phonta:

• Thali: A kansa (bell metal) or brass thali to hold everything
• Phonta Ingredients: Sandalwood paste (chandan), kajal made at home on a mango leaf, and curd (doi)
• Blessing Grains: Dhan (unhusked rice) and Durba (Durva grass)
• Honey & Lamp: Honey (madhu) and a Diya with Ghee
• Conch: A Shankha (conch shell) to blow
• Seat, Sweets & Gifts: A low seat (piri) for the brother, sweets such as sandesh, and gifts for each other

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Preparing the Thali

1. Arrange the sandalwood paste, curd, Dhan, Durba, honey and sweets on the thali.
2. Prepare the kajal on a mango leaf.
3. Light the Ghee Diya and keep the Shankha beside you.

Step 2: Seating the Brother and Giving the Phonta

1. Seat your brother on the piri.
2. Apply the sandalwood paste, the kajal and the curd to his forehead, giving the phonta three times.
3. As you give it, say the rhyme: "I place the phonta on my brother's forehead, a thorn is set at Yama's door. Yamuna gives Yama the phonta, and I give my brother the phonta. Having taken the phonta from Yamuna's hand, Yama became immortal; having taken the phonta from my hand, may my brother become immortal." (the wording varies a little from family to family)

Step 3: Blessing with Dhan and Durba

1. Take the Dhan and Durba in your left hand and place them on his head three times as a blessing.
2. If he is your elder brother, give only the phonta and bow to him, without the blessing.
3. Blow the Shankha, and let the women of the house give the ulu (the ululating call of joy).

Step 4: Sweets, Gifts and the Family Meal

1. Feed your brother sweets, such as the Bhai Phonta sandesh.
2. Exchange gifts: the sister gives to the brother and the brother gives to the sister.
3. Share a large meal together as a family, by day or at night.

Puja Vidhi: Darjeeling and Sikkim (Bhai Tika)

About the Festival

Bhai Tika is a much-loved observance of Nepali-speaking families in the hills of Darjeeling and Sikkim, where sisters honour their brothers with a colourful Tika and pray for their long life. It takes place on the Dwitiya (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik.

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Sisters: Sisters honour their brothers with the Tika and pray for their long life and protection (Bhai Tika).
• Brothers: Brothers receive the Tika with gratitude and put the Tika on their sisters in return.

The Katha (Story of King Bali Hang and His Sister Jamuna)

Once upon a time, the Kirati king Bali Hang fell mortally ill, and his sister Jamuna looked after him and guarded him. When Yamaraj, the Lord of Death, came for Bali Hang's soul, Jamuna pleaded with him to wait until she had finished worshipping her brother.

She began a long and elaborate ceremony for her brother, and performed the same for Yamaraj himself. Then she set her conditions: "Do not take my brother until the Tika I have put on his forehead fades, until the water I have sprinkled on him dries, and until the Makhamali flowers wilt."

Yamaraj agreed. Over the years he sent his messengers to inspect the flowers, and when the next Bhai Tika puja came he admitted that he had lost Bali Hang's soul to his devoted sister, and granted the king a long life. Since that day, sisters have honoured their brothers with the Tika, the water and the garland on Bhai Tika, praying for their long life.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the Tika:

• Tika: The seven-colour Tika (Saptarangi Tika)
• Garland: A garland of Makhamali flowers (Makhamali Mala)
• Holy Water & Oil: Holy water and blessed oil for the circle around your brother
• Dry Fruit & Selroti: Dry fruit and Selroti to give with the Tika

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Circling the Brother with Holy Water and Oil

1. Keep the holy water and the blessed oil ready beside you.
2. Walk around your brother several times, sprinkling a line of holy water and oil around him.
3. Remember that in the katha, the water Jamuna sprinkled for her brother is one of the three signs that keep him safe.

Step 2: Garland and Seven-Colour Tika

1. Garland your brother with the Makhamali Mala.
2. Apply the Saptarangi Tika, the Tika of seven colours, to your brother's forehead.
3. Give the dry fruit and Selroti along with the Tika.

Step 3: The Brother Returns the Tika

1. Now it is the brother's turn: put the Tika on your sister's forehead in return.
2. Touch your sister's feet to seek her blessings (Charan Sparsh).

Puja Vidhi: Gujarat (Bhai Beej)

About the Festival

Bhai Beej is a much-loved Gujarati festival where sisters invite their brothers home for a meal and brothers bring them gifts. It takes place on the Dwitiya (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik.

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Sisters: Sisters invite their brothers to eat at their home and pray for their long life.
• Brothers: Brothers go to their sister's home on this day to eat the meal she has prepared, and give her a gift in return.
• Brothers Without a Sister: Those who have no sister go to the home of a cousin, that is the daughter of a maternal uncle (Mama), a maternal aunt (Masi) or a paternal aunt (Phoi).

The Katha (Story of Yamuna's Invitations to Yama)

Yama, the Lord of Death, and Yamuna were full brother and sister. One day Yamuna went to Yama and said, "Come and eat at my home tomorrow." But Yama did not come, and made one excuse after another.

Yamuna did not give up. She invited her brother two times, three times, four times, and still he did not go to her home.

At last, on the bright second day of Kartik, Yama freed all the beings who were suffering in Naraka (hell) and came with his messengers to eat at his sister's home. Yamuna bathed him with fragrant oil and served him many dishes with love.

Pleased with her devotion, Yama promised that he would eat at her house every year on this day, and that brothers who eat at their sister's home on Bhai Beej would never see the door of Naraka. When he was asked about men who have no sister, he named the daughter of a maternal uncle, a maternal aunt or a paternal aunt. Since that day, brothers have gone to their sister's home to eat on Bhai Beej.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the meal:

• Festive Meal: Kadhi and Khichdi (said to be Yama's favourites), with Shaak (vegetable dishes) and Rotla (flatbread)
• Sweets: Mithai

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Inviting the Brother

1. Invite your brother to eat at your home on this day, as Yamuna invited Yama.
2. Brothers, go to your sister's home to eat the meal she has prepared.
3. If you have no sister, go to the home of a cousin, the daughter of your maternal uncle, maternal aunt or paternal aunt.
4. If a brother is ill or cannot go, remembering the story of Bhai Beej gives the same fruit as eating the meal.

Step 2: Tilak and Aarti

1. Welcome your brother and apply a Tilak to him.
2. Perform his Aarti with a lit Diya.
3. Pray for your brother's long life.

Step 3: The Meal and the Gift

1. Serve your brother Kadhi and Khichdi, which are said to be Yama's favourites.
2. Serve Shaak, Rotla and Mithai along with them.
3. Serve the meal with love, as Yamuna did for Yama.
4. Brothers, give your sister a gift in return before you leave.

Puja Vidhi: Maharashtra (Bhau Beej)

About the Festival

Bhau Beej is a much-loved Maharashtrian festival in which sisters honour their brothers and brothers visit their sisters, in the days of Diwali. It takes place on the Dwitiya (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik, typically two days after Diwali, though this can vary with when the tithi falls.

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Sisters: Sisters honour their brothers with the Ovalani (the waving of the Aarti) and a tilak, so that no fear of Yama may touch them.
• Brothers: Brothers go to their sister's home on this day to receive the Ovalani, and give her a gift in return.
• Women Without a Brother: A woman who has no brother treats any man as her brother; if there is none, she waves the Aarti to the Moon, regarded as her brother (Chandra).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Tilak Muhurat: The auspicious time for the tilak falls in Aparahna (afternoon). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Moon Sighting (Chandrakor Darshan): The Ovalani is done in the evening, once the crescent moon (chandrakor) is seen; the crescent can only be seen briefly after sunset, so check the times for your city on this page.

The tilak is done in the afternoon; the Ovalani follows in the evening when the crescent moon appears.

The Katha (Story of Yama and Yamuna)

Yama and Yami, also known as Yamuna, were the children of Surya, the Sun God, and they were brother and sister. Yamuna loved her brother dearly and wished to feed him in her own home.

She invited Yama to her home many times. On the Dwitiya of the bright fortnight, Yama finally went to eat at his sister's house. Because he dined with Yamuna on this day, it is called Yamadwitiya. On that day Yama also sets free, for the day, the souls suffering in Naraka.

Yamuna received him with great love, and Yama, pleased, asked her to choose a boon. She said: "Come to my home every year on this day, and let the sister who puts a tilak on her brother today never have any fear of you." Yama granted her wish and gave her clothes and ornaments.

Since that day, brothers and sisters have kept Bhau Beej, and the sister who applies the tilak and waves the Aarti to her brother is blessed with his protection.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the evening puja:

• Bath Items: Oil and Ubtan (fragrant herbal bath paste) for the brother's bath
• Ovalani Plate: A plate (thali) for waving the Aarti and for the brother's gift (ovalani)
• Sacred Thread: A red-and-yellow thread to tie on the brother's wrist
• Meal & Sweets: Sweet dishes, a rice dish, and Basundi Puri or Kheerni Puri
• Lamp for Yama: A Chaumukhi Diya (four-wick lamp)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Welcoming the Brother and the Oil Bath

1. The brother goes to his sister's home; he does not take his meal at his own home on this day, nor food cooked by his wife.
2. The sister applies Oil and Ubtan to her brother and gives him a bath.
3. Serve him a meal of sweets that includes a rice dish.

Step 2: Ovalani at Crescent Moon Sighting (After Sunset)

1. Seat your brother with his face towards the east.
2. Once the crescent moon (chandrakor) appears, first wave the Aarti, the Ovalani, to the Moon, and then to your brother.
3. Apply the tilak to his forehead, tie the red-and-yellow thread on his wrist, and feed him something sweet.

Step 3: The Brother's Gift and Charan Sparsh

1. The brother places his ovalani gift in the plate.
2. He touches his sister's feet to receive her blessings (Charan Sparsh).

Step 4: Remembering Yama

1. Light a Chaumukhi Diya in Yama's name and place it outside the threshold of the house.
2. Take the Sankalp (solemn vow): "I shall offer Yama Tarpan for the pleasure of Shri Yamadharma."
3. Offer the Yama Tarpan (a water offering to Yama) by his fourteen names.

Puja Vidhi: North India (Yama and Yamuna)

About the Festival

Bhai Dooj is a much-loved North Indian celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters, when sisters apply tilak to their brothers and pray for their long life, and brothers honour them with gifts. It takes place on the Dwitiya (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik.

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Sisters: Sisters apply tilak to their brothers and pray for their long life, good health, and happiness.
• Brothers: Brothers go to their sisters' homes, accept the tilak, eat the meal their sister has cooked, and give her a gift, touching her feet to receive her blessings (Charan Sparsh).
• Brothers Without a Sister: A brother who has no sister of his own is welcomed by a cousin sister, the daughter of his maternal uncle, paternal aunt or maternal aunt.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning: Sisters who keep the fast begin the day by offering water to the Sun; some sisters fast only until the afternoon.
• Tilak Ceremony: The tilak is applied in Aparahna (the fourth part of the day, in the afternoon). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Evening: The Chaumukh Diya (four-wick lamp) for Yamraj is lit outside the house in the evening.

The Katha (Story of Yama and Yamuna)

Surya Dev, the Sun God, had a wife named Sanjna, who bore him a son, Yamraj, and a daughter, Yamuna. Unable to bear Surya's blazing heat, Sanjna created her shadow, Chhaya, and left. Chhaya had little affection for the twins, but Yamuna loved her brother dearly and often invited him to her home. Yamraj, bound by his duties, could never come.

One Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, Yamraj arrived at his sister's door without any notice. On the way he freed the beings who were suffering in Naraka. Yamuna received him with great honour, cooked many dishes for him and applied a tilak on his forehead.

Moved by her love, Yamraj asked her to choose a boon. Yamuna replied: "Come to my home every year on this day. Let no brother who accepts his sister's hospitality, and no sister who gives her brother tilak and food on this day, ever have to fear you." Yamraj gladly granted it, and added that a brother and sister who bathe together in the Yamuna on this day are spared his wrath.

Since that day, sisters have applied tilak to their brothers on Bhai Dooj, and brothers have honoured their sisters with gifts and love.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the afternoon puja:

• Chowk: Ground rice flour (or rice batter) to draw the square (chowk) on which your brother will sit
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Kumkum, Sindoor, Chandan (sandalwood paste), and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Thali Offerings: Fruit, flowers, betel nut (supari), and a coconut
• For the Brother: Batashe (sugar drops), Kala Chana (black gram), and Kalava (sacred red thread)
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Sweets, and a meal cooked by the sister
• Lamps & Lights: A Diya for the aarti, and a Chaumukh Diya (four-wick lamp) with mustard oil, set on a clay Kalash filled with water, for Yamraj

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation

1. Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean clothes, then worship your family deity.
2. If you are keeping the fast, begin by offering water to the Sun. Some sisters fast only until the afternoon.
3. In Braj, brother and sister bathe together in the Yamuna at Vishram Ghat in Mathura, in keeping with the boon Yamraj gave Yamuna.

Step 2: Preparing the Thali and the Chowk

1. Set the thali before the muhurat with Kumkum, Sindoor, Chandan, fruit, flowers, sweets, Akshat, and betel nut.
2. Draw a Chowk with ground rice flour or rice batter, where your brother will sit.
3. Keep the flowers, betel nut, Batashe, Kala Chana, coconut, and Kalava ready beside the thali for your brother.

Step 3: Applying the Tilak (Afternoon)

1. Seating the Brother: Seat your brother on the Chowk during the muhurat.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply the tilak on his forehead and place Akshat on it, saying: "Ganga pooje Yamuna ko, Yami pooje Yamraj ko. Subhadra pooje Krishna ko, Ganga Yamuna neer bahe, mere bhai aap badhein, phoolein-phalein" (Ganga worships Yamuna, Yami worships Yamraj, Subhadra worships Krishna; as the waters of Ganga and Yamuna flow, may my brother grow and flourish).
3. Offering Gifts of Blessing: Give him flowers, betel nut, Batashe, Kala Chana, and the coconut, and tie a Kalava around his wrist.
4. Offering Sweets: Feed him sweets.

Step 4: Aarti, Meal and Gifts

1. Perform the Aarti of your brother with a lit Diya.
2. Serve him the meal you have cooked; on this day a brother takes his main meal at his sister's home rather than at his own.
3. The brother gives his sister a gift or Dakshina, such as grain or clothes, touches her feet, and receives her blessings.

Step 5: Lighting the Diya for Yamraj (Evening)

1. In the evening, light a four-wick Chaumukh Diya in the name of Yamraj, with mustard oil, and set it on a clay Kalash filled with water.
2. Place it outside the house, on the left side.
3. If a kite (cheel) is seen flying overhead at that time, it is considered a very good omen.

Puja Vidhi: Purvanchal and Bihar

About the Festival

Bhaiya Dooj is a much-loved festival of Purvanchal and Bihar, where sisters pray for the long life of their brothers with the Godhan rite and, in Maithil homes, the worship of the brother's hands. It takes place on the Dwitiya (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik.

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Sisters: Sisters keep the waterless fast (Nirjala Vrat) and perform this puja for the long life of their brothers.
• Brothers: Brothers receive tilak, sweets and aarti from their sisters, and give them gifts in return.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Godhan Kutai and Fast: The sisters bathe and begin the waterless fast in the morning, and gather from early in the day to make and pound the Godhan.
• Hand Puja, Tilak and Aarti: The brother's puja, tilak and aarti are done in the Aparahna (afternoon). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.

The Katha (Story of Yamraj and Yamuna)

Yamraj and Yamuna were brother and sister. Yamuna was displeased with her brother, and one day Yamraj went to her house to end her displeasure.

Yamuna was overjoyed to see him at her door. She welcomed him with great love and fed him many tasty dishes.

Pleased by her hospitality, Yamraj told her, as he was leaving, to ask for any boon she wished. Yamuna asked that he come to her home every year on this day, and he agreed.

Since that day, Bhaiya Dooj has been kept every year, and this is why it is also called Yama Dwitiya.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Godhan Kutai: Cow dung (Gobar) to make the Godhan, a Musal (wooden pestle), and a thorn
• Offerings for the Vedi: Chana (gram), a gung bhatkaiyan plant (Gung Bhatkaiya), and the brother's favourite sweet
• Rice Paste & Seat: Rice paste, Sindoor, water, and a raised seat (Pidhi)
• Paan & Spices: Six Paan leaves, six Supari, large and small cardamom, Harre, and nutmeg
• Flowers: Six pumpkin (Kumhar) flowers, or marigold if there are none
• Anointing & Feeding: Honey, cow's Ghee, Chandan, and roasted Makhana

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Bathing and the Fast (Morning)

1. Bathe in the morning (in Varanasi, many sisters take a dip in the Ganga).
2. Keep a waterless fast until the puja, praying for your brother's long life.
3. Gather with the other women of your colony at the kund or ghat.

Step 2: Making the Godhan and Setting the Vedi

1. Make the Godhan, the Govardhan, from cow dung, shaping it in its various forms.
2. On the vedi (the raised puja platform), place the brother's favourite sweet, the chana, and the gung bhatkaiyan plant.

Step 3: The Curse and the Godhan Kutai

1. The sisters curse their brothers, in the belief that the curse turns into a boon for them.
2. In atonement, each sister pricks her own tongue with a thorn.
3. Pound the Godhan with the Musal, pounding the door of Yama.

Step 4: Worshipping the Brother's Hands (Maithil Homes)

1. Make five conical figures of rice paste on a raised seat and put Sindoor at the centre. Set out the water, flowers, Paan, Supari, cardamom, Harre and nutmeg.
2. Wash your brother's feet and seat him in front of you.
3. Apply rice paste and Sindoor on both his hands, then honey, cow's Ghee and Chandan.

Step 5: The Invitation Formula

1. Place a Paan, a Supari, a pumpkin flower and nutmeg in your brother's joined palms.
2. Say the formula: "Yamuna invited Yama, and I invite my brother. As great as the stream of Yamuna, so great be my brother's life."
3. Pour water over his hands as you say it. Do this three times.
4. Wash and wipe his hands and feet.

Step 6: Tilak, Aarti and the Meal

1. Apply the Tika to your brother, feed him the roasted Makhana, and sweeten his mouth.
2. Perform his Aarti. Your brother gives you a gift in return.
3. Serve your brother the meal you have cooked.