Bhai Dooj is a festival dedicated to the love and affection between brothers and sisters. This year i.e. in 2023, the festival of Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Wednesday, 26 October. This festival is celebrated on the second day of Shukla Paksha in Kartik month. Bhai Dooj 2023 is also known as Bhai Phonta, Bhai Tika, Yama Dwitiya, etc. Yamraj, the God of Death is worshipped on this day. According to the legend, on this day Yamuna invited his brother Yamadev and fed him with her own hands. That’s the reason why it’s considered auspicious for brothers to go to their sister’s house for lunch or dinner on this day. As a ritual, sisters apply tilak on their brother’s forehead and wish them long life, happiness and prosperity. Also, the brothers give gifts to their sisters in the form of Shagun.
Do you know another festival related to Brother-Sister bonding? Let’s Find
Shubh Muhurat for Bhai Dooj 2023
This year, Bhai Dooj 2023 falls on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
- Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time: 01:10 p.m to 03:19 p.m
Duration: 02 Hours 09 Minutes - Dwitiya Tithi Starts: 02:36 p.m on November 14, 2023
- Dwitiya Tithi Ends: 01:47 p.m on November 15, 2023
Bhai Dooj Puja Vidhi
Bhai Dooj is the last festival of Deepotsav. Deepotsav begins with Dhanteras. On the last day i.e. on the day of Bhai Dooj, Lord Ganesh should be worshipped first. Tilak is applied to the brother’s forehead on the auspicious muhurta. A small square made of dough is prepared. The Bhai Dooj Tilak Thali is prepared with roli, akshat, sweets, oil lamp, incense sticks, turmeric, kumkum, rice and gola. Then a wooden track is laid on the square that was made and the Tilak ritual is performed inside the square. Also, offering coconut to the brother is considered auspicious on this occasion. After that, the sister feeds the brother with Bhog and paan and prays for his long life. Lastly, the brothers present gifts to their sisters.
Bhai Dooj Legend
All Indian festivals are always associated with some or other stories. Bhai Dooj is one such festival. It is believed that when Yamadev and his sister the Yamuna didn’t meet for a very long time, Yamuna invited him to her house. She was very excited and cooked a number of dishes for her brother. She fed him with her hands, applied Tilak on Yama’s forehead and wished him a happy and prosperous life. Yamraj was extremely pleased with this gesture and asked his sister to ask for a boon.
Yamuna asked Yamraj to come to her house every year on this day and took the boon that every brother whose sister does Tilak to him on this day will have no fears of premature death. Yamraj was deeply touched and granted the boon to Yamuna. A holy bath in the Yamuna River is also considered of great importance on this day.
Want to know about the other legend related to Yamaraj/Yamadev. Find here
Maa Subhadra Welcomed Back Lord Krishna on Bhai Dooj
It is believed that Lord Krishna killed Narakasura on the day of Roop Chaudas i.e. Naraka Chaturdashi. Two days later he reached Dwarka. There Maa Subhadra welcomed Shri Krishna on Bhai Dooj by applying a Tilak on his forehead. She also served Lord Krishna his favourite dishes and wished him a happy and peaceful life. All the sisters should also do the sacred Tilak of their brothers on Bhai Dooj 2023. Know which coloured Tilak you should apply to your brother as per your brother’s zodiac sign.
Also, read about the birth of Lord Krishna – Janmashtami
Tilak Colour according to the Zodiac Sign on Bhai Dooj 2023
- Aries – Red kumkum or Sandalwood Tilak
- Taurus – Silver or bright-coloured Tilak or White and sandalwood mixed with red colour Tilak
- Gemini – Green Gulal Tilak
- Cancer – Saffron-coloured Tilak mixed with gangajal
- Leo – Tilak with saffron
- Virgo- Tie a green thread in your brother’s hand after applying red kumkum Tilak
- Libra – Tilak with white abir
- Scorpio – Red kumkum Tilak
- Sagittarius – Turmeric Tilak
- Capricorn – Sandalwood Tilak
- Aquarius – After applying Red Kumkum Tilak, tie a blue thread in your brother’s hand
- Pisces – Saffron Tilak
Check out various Online Puja and services provided by DevDarshan here and get your bookings done in one click. If you want to know more about Indian culture, Indian Temples, Pujas and festivals, then download the DevDarshan App. Don’t forget to share this blog if you liked it.
