When is Bhai Dooj 2024? Date and Time for the Celebration
The most awaited festive week of Diwali is here and two days after Diwali, we celebrate the festival of Bhai Dooj. Also known as 'Bhai Phonta', 'Bhai Tika', 'Bhau Beej', and 'Yama Dwitiya', the festival is celebrated in the country one day after Goverdhan Puja and two days after Diwali.
It is one of the significant festivals celebrated during Diwali to commemorate the sacred, and beautiful bond shared between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply tilak on the forehead of their brothers and pray for their prosperity and longevity. The word “Bhai” refers to Brother and “Dooj” means the second day after Diwali.
Bhai Dooj 2024 marks the end of the five-day festivities of Diwali celebrations which are observed on the second day after the new moon of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik.
Also Read: Five Magic Days of Diwali
When is Bhai Dooj 2024?
Bhai Dooj 2024 Date: Bhai Dooj 2024 will be celebrated on November 2 and 3, 2024. This festival takes place on the second day after Diwali and is dedicated to celebrating the special bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers' well-being, and brothers promise to protect their sisters. It’s a time for family gatherings, special meals, and sharing heartfelt wishes.
Bhai Dooj Timing -
The timing for the rituals varies, but generally, the auspicious time to perform the ceremonies is during 8:21 PM on 2nd November to 3:38 PM on 3rd November and Aparahana time is from 1:17 PM to 3:38 PM on 3rd November. It's best to check the local timings, as they can differ based on your location. During this special day, brothers and sisters come together to celebrate their bond, exchange gifts, and share delicious meals. Make sure to plan your celebrations around this time to make the most of the day!
Why is Bhai Dooj Celebrated? History and Significance
What is Bhai Dooj? There are many beliefs associated with the celebrations of Bhai Dooj 2024 in which the most popular one is related to Lord Yama or Yamraja, the god of death, and his sister, the Yamuna.
As per the story, the sister of Yama ie. Yamuna insisted her brother pay a visit to her home on many occasions, but Yamraja was unable to do that. On the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik, he finally decided to meet her and he was greeted with a grand celebration. Yamuna applied tilak on his forehead and offered sweets. Before leaving, Yamraja asked Yamnua for her wish and she requested a boon that any brother who visits his sister on this day and eats the food should have a long and wealthy life. Since then, this day is celebrated as Bhai Dooj.
One another reason why Bhai Dooj is celebrated after Diwali is that Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra after killing the demon, Narakasura. Subhadra welcomed him by applying tilak on his forehead. From that day onwards, the festival of Bhai Dooj began. Bhai Dooj is similar to celebrating Raksha-Bandhan which commemorates the sacred bond of siblings.
Bhai Dooj 2024 - Celebrations in India
Bhai Dooj 2024 is a joyful festival celebrated in India, marking the special bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers' long life and happiness by performing a ritual called "tilak." They place a red mark on their brothers' foreheads and offer sweets and gifts.
In return, brothers express their love and gratitude by giving gifts and promising to protect their sisters. The celebrations vary across different states in India. In some regions, families gather for a festive meal, while in others, they may hold special events or community gatherings. Overall, Bhai Dooj is a time for families to come together, share love, and strengthen their bonds.
Maharashtra
In Maharashtra and Goa, Bhai Dooj is known as Bhao Beej. To celebrate Bhai Dooj 2024, sisters make their brothers sit on the floor where they draw a square and consume a fruit named Karith. Then, they apply Tilak on their brother’s forehead, perform aarti and pray for their well-being.
West Bengal
In west Bengal, the festival is known as “Bhai Phonta” where several rituals are performed. To celebrate the day, sisters observe a fast until the ceremony is completed. Tilak is applied on the forehead of their brothers which is made of sandalwood, Kajal, and ghee, and pray for their happy and prosperous life.
Bihar
The celebration of Bhai Dooj 2024 is quite different in Bihar than in other parts of the country. On the eve of Bhai Dooj, the sister abuses their brothers to absolve the brother of their past sins. During the ceremony, the sister applies tilak and offers sweets to their brothers.
Uttar Pradesh
When it comes to celebrating Bhai Dooj in Uttar Pradesh, the sisters apply tilak on her brother and offer him crystalized sugar and water.
Bhai Dooj Celebration in Nepal
Our neighbouring country Nepal also observes this beautiful festival. Bhai Dooj is known as Bhai Tihar in Nepal. Here, “Tihar” refers to Tilak which is applied on the forehead. Apart from this, Bhai Dooj is also called Bhai teeka as sisters apply tilak on their brothers which comprises seven colours. Then, they pray for a long and prosperous life.
Rituals of Bhai Dooj 2024
Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the second day of the dark lunar fortnight with utmost customs and traditions.
On the day of Bhai Dooj, the “Puja thali” i.e., the plate that sisters use to worship their brothers is decorated nicely. Moreover, it is a must to have vermillion, sandals, flowers, sweets and betel nuts.
Sisters make their brothers sit on a place drawn in a square with rice and perform the ceremony.
Brothers are applied tilak, and given fruits, betel nuts, and sweets after performing aarti on him.
Once the tilak and aarti is done, the brothers give presents to their sisters and take a vow to protect her for life.
Brothers give gifts to their sisters as a gesture of love and appreciation. Sisters also prepare sweet treats to share.
Bhai Dooj is a time for families to come together, share stories, and create lasting memories.
How to Celebrate Bhai Dooj?
Start the day with a puja (prayer) where sisters perform aarti (a prayer ceremony) for their brothers. This is a way to wish them well and protect them from harm.
Apply a red or yellow tikka (mark) on your brother's forehead while praying for his happiness and success.
Brothers can give their sisters thoughtful gifts, while sisters often prepare sweet treats or special meals for their brothers.
Spend time together by enjoying a meal, playing games, or simply catching up. This strengthens your bond and creates lasting memories.
Bhai Dooj Quotes
Here are some quotes that reflect the love and connection that siblings share on this special day:
1. “A brother is a friend for life.”
2. “Sisters are the best gift a brother can have.”
3. “On Bhai Dooj, let’s celebrate the love and protection we share.”
4. “Brothers and sisters may fight, but their bond is unbreakable.”
5. “A sister's love is the best shield for a brother.”
Conclusion
Now you know why Bhai Dooj is celebrated after Diwali. Bhai Dooj is an auspicious day that celebrates the love, affection, and strong bond of brothers and sisters. It is difficult to express the feelings, and emotions between siblings. Bhai Dooj is one such occasion that allows us to define and express the love between siblings. Sisters pray to god for their brother’s longevity, well-being and prosperity. So, think about the perfect gifts to exchange and Bhai Dooj wishes for your sister. Happy Bhai Dooj!!!
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FAQs on Bhai Dooj 2024: A Special Day for Siblings to Celebrate Their Love
1. Why is Bhai Dooj celebrated after Diwali?
Some believe that on the second day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik, Lord Yama visited his sister Yamuna while some believe that Lord Krishna visited her sister Subhadra after killing the demon, Narakasura. Since then, the day is celebrated as Bhai Dooj.
2. How is Bhai Dooj celebrated?
Bhai dooj is celebrated in different states of the country. Sisters apply tilak on their brother's forehead, offer them sweets and pray for their well-being.
3. What is the significance of Bhai Dooj?
Bhai Dooj commemorates the beautiful bond of brothers-sisters. It is a day to exchange bhai dooj wishes and gifts among siblings and cousins.
4. Why is Bhai Dooj celebrated?
Bhai Dooj is a special day that represents the deep love between brothers and sisters. On this important festival, sisters pray to God for their brothers' long life, happiness, and success.
5. What is the difference between Bhai Dooj and Raksha Bandhan?
The main difference lies in their traditions. During Raksha Bandhan, the sister ties a rakhi (a sacred thread) on her brother's wrist, symbolising her trust in him to protect her from harm. On the other hand, Bhai Dooj involves the sister applying a tika (a mark) on her brother's forehead and promising to protect him from any negativity or evil. Each celebration highlights the love and care siblings have for each other, but the rituals and meanings are distinct.
6. What is the special story of Bhai Dooj?
In Hindu tradition, the story behind Bhai Dooj is about Lord Krishna visiting his sister Subhadra after defeating the evil demon Narakasura. She welcomed him warmly with sweets and flowers and lovingly applied a tilaka (a mark) on his forehead. This beautiful gesture is believed to be the origin of the Bhai Dooj festival, symbolising the special bond between brothers and sisters.
7. What are the rules for Bhai Dooj?
For Bhai Dooj, both brothers and sisters should be at least 5 years old. Sisters start the day by fasting until the traditional ceremonies are finished. They then apply a tilak made of ghee, sandalwood (Chandan), and kohl (kajal) on their brother's forehead, praying for his long life and well-being.
8. Do Jains celebrate Bhai Dooj?
When Mahavira, the founder of Jainism attained Nirvana, King Nandivardhan, Mahavira's brother thought of him. He then went to Sudarshana, his sister who comforted him. This day has since then been celebrated as Bhai Dooj to celebrate the bond between siblings.
9. What is the significance of Bhai Dooj?
Bhai Dooj celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, where sisters pray for their brothers' well-being, and brothers express their love with gifts.
10. What is the tilak made of during Bhai Dooj?
The tilak usually consists of ghee, sandalwood (Chandan), and kohl (kajal), which is applied on the brother's forehead as a blessing.
11. Bhai Dooj is celebrated in which states?
Bhai Dooj is celebrated across many states in India, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, among others.
12. What are some popular gifts for Bhai Dooj?
Popular gifts include sweets, clothes, accessories, or personalised items that show thoughtfulness and affection.
13. Is Bhai Dooj celebrated only in India?
While Bhai Dooj is primarily celebrated in India, similar festivals honouring sibling bonds are observed in some other countries with Indian communities.
14. What is the bhai dooj 2024 date and time?
Bhai Dooj in 2024 will be celebrated on November 2nd and 3rd, 2024. The exact timing for the rituals varies, but it is usually done from 8:21 PM on 2nd Nov to 3:38 PM on 3rd Nov.
17. What are some heartfelt Bhai Dooj Wishes?
You can wish your sibling with messages like "Happy Bhai Dooj! May our bond grow stronger every day!" or "Wishing you a joyful Bhai Dooj filled with love and happiness!"
