Festival · भाई दूज

Bhai Dooj 2026

Date: Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Observance: Kartik Shukla Dwitiya — the closing day of Deepotsav

Bhai Dooj closes the five days of Deepotsav with the bond between brother and sister. Sisters place a tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life; the story told is of Yama visiting his sister Yamuna, who welcomed him with a tilak and a meal — and Yama declaring that a brother so honoured on this day need not fear an untimely end.

It is kept as Bhaiya Dooj in the north, Bhai Phonta in Bengal and Bhau Beej in Maharashtra — one festival, many kitchens.

Tithi timings shift a little by city — check today's panchang for the day itself, and see where the festival season falls in your own chart with a free kundli.