Bhai Dooj 2025: Exact Date, Auspicious Time & How to Celebrate the Sacred Sibling Festival
The festival of Bhai Dooj (also known as Bhaiya Duj, Bhau Beej, Yama Dvitiya) gives sisters and brothers a special day to honour the bond they share — and in 2025 it falls on Thursday, 23 October in India.
On this day, sisters perform a ritual — apply tilak on their brother’s forehead, pray for his long life and well-being, and the brother in turn gives a gift and pledges protection.
If you’re living in or connecting with siblings in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana-region, or anywhere in India and want to mark this festival right, read on for exact muhurat (auspicious time), regional variations, step-by-step rituals, historic legend, and helpful tips for what to do.
Date & Auspicious Time (“Muhurat”) of Bhai Dooj 2025
This year, Bhai Dooj is celebrated on 23 October 2025 (Thursday).
Here are key timing details:
- According to the Hindu lunar calendar (Kartik month, Shukla Paksha Dwitiya) the tithi begins on 22 Oct and ends on 23 Oct.
- The ideal muhurat for tilak/puja falls in the afternoon/early evening in many places. For example: in some sources the time is given as 12:48 PM to 03:24 PM IST for Bharatiya regions.
- Note: Regional calendars (Telangana/Andhra Pradesh, Secunderabad etc) may have small variations for local muhurat. It is wise to check a trusted Panchang for your city.
Because the muhurat is central to making this ritual auspicious, make sure your brother-sister get-together falls within this period if possible.
Why Celebrate Bhai Dooj? (Significance & Legend)
Why this festival matters
- Bhai Dooj symbolises the love, protection and duty between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers’ long life, success and health; brothers acknowledge the role of the sister and often give a gift.
- It also marks the close of the five-day festival series around Diwali, giving families one more chance to gather, celebrate and renew bonds.
Mythological roots
There are several legends:
- The story of Yama (god of death) visiting his sister Yamuna. She welcomed him, did his aarti, applied tilak on his forehead and treated him with food. Pleased, Yama blessed her and declared that any brother who receives his sister’s tilak on this day will enjoy long life.
- Some sources link it to Krishna and his sister Subhadra: after killing the demon Narakasura, Krishna visited Subhadra’s house; she welcomed him with tilak and sweets. That event is also seen as origin. (GaneshaSpeaks)
So, while the festival is joyful and familial, it also carries deep symbolic meaning of protection, duty, affection and well-being.
How to Celebrate Bhai Dooj 2025 – Step-by-Step Rituals
Here’s a friendly walkthrough for sisters and brothers (especially if you’re in Secunderabad/Telangana or nearby and gathering).
- Early morning preparation: Sisters rise early, take a ritual bath, wear clean or new clothes, and may observe a light fast or vow for the day. (Drik Panchang)
- Decorate the thali (plate): Sister arranges a thali with items like kumkum or sandalwood for tilak, ghee lamp (diya), sweets (e.g., gulab jamun, laddoo), fruits, dry-fruits, and maybe a small gift or cloth to offer. (Book My Pooja Online)
- Invite brother: The brother comes to sister’s place (or the sister visits his place) – often exchanged within family gatherings.
- Tilak & kalava: Sister applies tilak on brother’s forehead, ties a protective thread (kalava) around his wrist, performs aarti with ghee lamp, prays for his long life and prosperity. Brother may touch sister’s feet in respect. (Rudraksha Ratna)
- Feast & sweets: After the ritual, sister serves sweets and a special meal (traditional dishes). Brother gives a gift – could be clothes, money, a token of affection or something meaningful. (Drik Panchang)
- Exchange of feelings: It’s not just about rituals – it’s about time together, sharing memories, photos, embracing the sibling bond.
- Regional customs: For example, in Maharashtra/Goa the festival is known as “Bhau Beej” and brothers may sit on a rangoli while the sister performs the ritual. In West Bengal “Bhai Phonta” is observed.
Regional flavour
- In North States, siblings may gather at home, bring sweets like jalebi, or kheer, and may visit temples after the family ritual.
- The Drik Panchang and other regional panchangs list local muhurats – useful if you’re planning exactly. (Drik Panchang)
Why It Matters – It’s More Than Just a Ritual
- Festivals like Bhai Dooj strengthen family bonds and give siblings the chance to express gratitude and affection in a structured yet meaningful way.
- In fast-moving cities like Secunderabad/Hyderabad, busy work lives may limit sibling time — so this day becomes a meaningful pause.
- The ritual of tilak and sharing food has socio-cultural value: it reinforces respect, duty, and emotional connection.
- It also encourages generosity and giving (brother’s gift to sister) and mutual care (sister’s prayer for brother).
- And finally, these festivals preserve cultural heritage: the legends, the stories, the timing—all enrich the occasion.
What to Do If Brother/Sister is Far Away
Nowadays, many siblings live in different cities or abroad. Here are practical ideas:
- Virtual tilak ceremony: Sister can send a photo/video of thali, brother can respond with blessings via video call.
- Send a gift box: Sweets, personalised keepsake, greeting card, along with a note: “Happy Bhai Dooj 2025, looking forward to 23 Oct r-time together.”
- Use the muhurat window to schedule a call: e.g., between 12:48-3:24 PM IST (as given in some sources) to maintain ritual timing. (Moneycontrol)
- Share a meal over video: Sister preparing his favourite dish and they both eat “together” remotely.
Final Thoughts & Checklist
As the lamps of Diwali start to fade, the warmth of sibling affection keeps glowing through Bhai Dooj 2025. Let the tilak, the sweets, the laughter and the exchanged gifts be more than just tradition—let them be a reaffirmation of love and promise between you and your brother/sister.
Quick Checklist for 23 October 2025
- Note the date: 23 October 2025 (Thursday)
- Check your city’s muhurat locally (approx. afternoon slot)
- Prepare the thali with tilak, ghee lamp, sweets, fruits
- Invite your brother (or schedule virtual meet)
- Apply tilak, perform aarti, pray together
- Share a special meal and exchange a meaningful gift
- Snap a photo, send heartfelt wishes, preserve the moment
May your Bhai Dooj 2025 be filled with joy, love and cherished memories.
If you want city-wise muhurat or gift ideas for brothers and sisters, I’d be happy to help!
