When is Bhai Dooj 2024? Know the date, timings, history, significance and more

Bhai Dooj 2024: Bhai Dooj is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. Also known as Bhai Tikka, Bhau Beej, Bhai Bij, Bhai Beej, Bhatru Dwitiya, Bhai Phota and Bhatri Ditya, the festival is celebrated in all parts of the country with much pomp and splendour. The festival commemorates the bond between brothers and siblings, much like Raksha Bandhan.

As per Drik Panchang, the festival is observed on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik, as per the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar. The auspicious festival marks the last day of Diwali celebrations which begin with Dhanteras.

On Bhai Dooj, sisters apply tilak on their brother's foreheads as part of blessings for their long and healthy life and prosperity, celebrating the unshakeable bond between siblings. Scroll down to learn when will Bhai Dooj be celebrated in 2024, the auspicious timings to perform the rituals and how the festival came to be celebrated in the first place.

Bhai Dooj 2024: Date and Mahurat Timings

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This year, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on the Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha, Kartik month, which falls on Sunday, November 3rd of the Gregorian calendar.

The Dwitiya Tithi will begin on November 2, 2024, at 08:21 pm and will end on November 3, 2024, at 10:05 pm. The most auspicious time to apply tilak, also known as Bhai Dooj Aparahna time is between 01:17 pm to 03:38 pm on November 3rd, 2024.

Bhai Dooj 2024: Rituals

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Tilak ceremony

On this day, sisters first prepare a seat for their brother using rice flour. Once seated sisters apply a special tikka made using vermillion, milk and rice on their brother's head as a mark of their blessings. This special tikka is believed to protect the brothers in times of any problem or tragedy.

Exchange of Gifts

After the tikka is applied, it is customary to exchange gifts. Brothers give thoughtful gifts to their sisters to express their love and appreciation for them and in return, sisters too present their brothers with their favourite sweets.

Feast and sweets

After the exchange of gifts, the whole family eats a lavish feast, specially prepared for the occasion. The feast includes the brother's favourite dishes and sweets.

Bhai Dooj: Origin and stories related to the festival

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Bhai Dooj's history and significance are based on several Hindu mythological legends with many ancient stories around its origin.

One of the most common stories revolves around Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra. According to this, when Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra after defeating the demon Narakasura she welcomed him with an aarti, applied tilak on his forehead, and brought him sweets. In return, Lord Krishna pledged to protect her, thus starting the tradition of Bhai Dooj.

Another common story involves Yama, the deity of death, and his sister Yamuna (Yami). According to this story, on this day Yama visited his sister Yamuna who greeted him with aarti and tilak. An overjoyed Yama then announced that any brother whose sister applied tilak on him on this day would be rewarded with a long and successful life.

All these anecdotes and stories emphasise the importance of the adoration between brothers and sisters and highlight the significance of celebrating their bond.

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