Bhai Dooj 2026 date and time: When is Bhaiya Dooj? Check shubh muhurat, tilak timings, puja rituals and the story of Lord Yama and Yamuna

Bhai Dooj, one of the most cherished Hindu festivals celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, will be observed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Also known as Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej and Yama Dwitiya, the festival falls on the Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartika. On this auspicious day, sisters perform traditional rituals, apply a ceremonial tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life, happiness and prosperity. Brothers, in return, express their affection by giving gifts and promising to stand by their sisters.

According to Drik Panchang, the Bhai Dooj Aparahna Puja Muhurat will begin at 1:30 pm and continue until 3:46 pm on November 11. The festival is associated with the divine bond between Lord Yama and his sister Goddess Yamuna. It is believed that observing Bhai Dooj rituals with devotion brings blessings, good fortune and protection to siblings. From the auspicious tilak timings to the significance of Yama Dwitiya, here is everything you need to know about Bhai Dooj 2026.

Bhai Dooj 2026 date and day

Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The festival is observed two days after Diwali and marks the conclusion of the five-day Diwali celebrations in many parts of India. As per the Hindu calendar, Bhai Dooj falls on the Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartika. The occasion is dedicated to the special relationship between brothers and sisters, with prayers, traditional ceremonies, family gatherings and the exchange of gifts forming an important part of the celebrations.

Bhai Dooj 2026 shubh muhurat and tilak timings

According to Drik Panchang, the Aparahna period is considered auspicious for performing Bhai Dooj rituals. Sisters can apply tilak to their brothers during the following muhurat:

• Bhai Dooj date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
• Bhai Dooj Aparahna Muhurat: 1:30 pm to 3:46 pm
• Duration: 2 hours and 16 minutes
• Yama Dwitiya: Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Bhai Dooj 2026 Dwitiya Tithi timings

As per Drik Panchang, the Dwitiya Tithi will begin on November 10 and conclude on November 11.

• Dwitiya Tithi begins: 2:00 pm on November 10, 2026
• Dwitiya Tithi ends: 3:53 pm on November 11, 2026

The festival is celebrated on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha in Kartika. Although the Tithi begins a day earlier, Bhai Dooj will be observed on November 11, 2026.

Why is Bhai Dooj celebrated? Know its religious significance

Bhai Dooj is rooted in the ancient legend of Lord Yama, the god of death, and his sister Goddess Yamuna. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Yamuna invited her brother Yama to her home and welcomed him with great affection. She performed aarti, applied a tilak on his forehead and offered him a delicious meal.

Touched by his sister's love and hospitality, Yama granted her a boon. Goddess Yamuna asked that brothers who visit their sisters and receive their blessings on this day should be protected from untimely death and blessed with longevity and prosperity.

Yama accepted her request and declared that brothers who receive tilak from their sisters on this auspicious day would be blessed. This is why Bhai Dooj is also known as Yama Dwitiya. The legend is central to the festival's religious significance and explains why sisters pray for their brothers' well-being.

Bhai Dooj rituals: How sisters celebrate the festival

Bhai Dooj is celebrated with traditional rituals that symbolise love, prayers and the lifelong bond between siblings. Sisters usually begin the day by taking an early morning bath and preparing for the puja. They invite their brothers to their homes and arrange a decorated puja thali containing roli, rice grains, sweets, a diya and other ritual items.

During the auspicious muhurat, sisters apply a ceremonial tilak on their brothers' foreheads, perform aarti and pray for their long life, happiness, good health and prosperity. In some traditions, sisters also tie a sacred thread around their brothers' wrists as a symbol of affection and protection.

After the rituals, brothers and sisters exchange sweets and enjoy a festive meal together. Brothers traditionally give their sisters gifts, which may include clothes, money, jewellery or other tokens of appreciation.

Why is Bhai Dooj also known as Yama Dwitiya?

The name Yama Dwitiya comes from the legend of Lord Yama and Goddess Yamuna. Their reunion is believed to have taken place on the Dwitiya Tithi of Kartika Shukla Paksha. Bathing in the sacred Yamuna River on Bhai Dooj is considered particularly auspicious. According to religious beliefs, devotees who take a holy dip in the river on this day receive blessings and spiritual merit. The ritual is also associated with freedom from the fear of Yama and the attainment of longevity and prosperity.

Other names of Bhai Dooj celebrated across India

Bhai Dooj is known by different names in various regions of the country. While the customs and traditions may differ, the central message of celebrating the bond between siblings remains the same.

Some of its popular names include:

• Bhaiya Dooj: A commonly used name in northern India.
• Bhau Beej: The name used in Maharashtra and Goa.
• Yama Dwitiya: The religious name associated with Lord Yama and Goddess Yamuna.
• Bhai Dwitiya: Another name for the festival based on the lunar Tithi.
• Bhatra Dwitiya: A regional name associated with the celebrations.
• Bhathru Dwithiya: A name used in parts of southern India.