Bhai Dooj 2024: Date, Time, Celebrations, Meaning, History And Significance Of Bhai Phonta

Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhai Tika, Bhaubeej, Bhai Beej, Bhai Phonta, or Bhratri Dwitiya, is a Hindu festival celebrated on the second day of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartika, according to the Hindu calendar. It is part of the Diwali celebrations. The festival is similar to Raksha Bandhan, as it celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.

Bhai Dooj DateNovember 3, 2024, Sunday Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time01:32 PM to 03:29 PM Duration - 01 Hour 57 Mins Yama Dwitiya on Sunday, November 3, 2024 Dwitiya Tithi Begins - 03:51 PM on Nov 02, 2024 Dwitiya Tithi Ends - 05:35 PM on Nov 03, 2024 Bhai Dooj Celebrations Bhai Dooj is celebrated in northern India during the Diwali festival. In the Awadh and Purvanchal regions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, it's known as Bhaiya Dooj. The Maithil community in Nepal and Bihar also celebrates it as Bhardutiya, along with other ethnic groups. The first day of the New Year is marked as Govardhan Pūja. In Nepal, it is called Bhai Teeka and is the second most important festival after Dashain (Vijaya Dashami/Dussehra). It is celebrated on the fifth day of the Tihar festival, especially by the Maithil community as Bhardutiya Bhai Tika, and also by various ethnic groups among the Madhesis. The Newaris celebrate it as Kija Puja. Sisters place a colorful seven-layered Tika, known as Saptarangi Tika, on their brothers' foreheads. In Bengal, the festival is called Bhai Phonta and occurs on the second day after Kali Puja, mainly in West Bengal, Tripura, and Bangladesh. In western Odisha, it is known as Bhai Jiuntia. Among Marathi, Gujarati, and Konkani-speaking communities in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Karnataka, it is called Bhau Beej or Bhav Bij. Another name for this day is Yamadwitheya or Yamadvitiya, which comes from a legend about a meeting between Yama, the god of Death, and his sister Yamuna (the river) on the second day after the new moon. Other names include Bhatru Dviteeya, Bhatri Ditya, or Bhaghini Hastha Bhojanamu in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Bhai Dooj History and Significance It is believed that after defeating the evil demon Narakasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra, who welcomed him with sweets and flowers and lovingly put a tilaka on his forehead. Some people believe this story is the origin of the festival. On the day of the festival, sisters invite their brothers over for a big meal that usually includes their favorite dishes and sweets. The way this is celebrated may vary in Bihar and central India. The ceremony represents the brother's duty to protect his sister and the sister's blessings for her brother. To continue the tradition, sisters perform aarti for their brothers and apply a red tika on their foreheads. This tika ceremony during Bhai Bij symbolises the sister's heartfelt prayers for her brother's long and happy life, and she also gives him gifts. In return, older brothers bless their sisters and may give them gifts or money.