When Is Bhai Dooj or Bhai Phota in 2025

 Understanding Bhai Dooj and Bhai Phota: A Celebration of Sibling Bond

By Intimate Viewpoint

In the vibrant tapestry of Indian festivals, the celebration of brother–sister affection takes a beautiful form in Bhai Dooj and its regional variant Bhai Phota. Though both honour the same underlying sentiment — a sister’s prayers for her brother’s well-being and a brother’s vow of protection for his sister — they are observed with varied names, rituals and regional flavours. Let’s explore their dates, origins, rituals, significance and how they are celebrated across the country.

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The Vrats & Festivals of the Month of October 2025 

Date & Day

Bhai Dooj is observed on the Dwitiya (second day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Kartik of the Hindu lunar calendar. 

According to multiple sources, in the year 2025, Bhai Dooj falls on Thursday, 23 October 2025. 

The tithi (lunar day) for 2025 begins on 22 October at around 8:16 PM and ends on 23 October at around 10:46 PM. 

The regional variant in Bengal, Bhai Phota (also spelled Bhai Potha/Phonta), is celebrated on the second day after Kali Puja, i.e., soon after Diwali-time festivities in that region. 

Thus, for 2025, if a sister and brother in India plan to observe Bhai Dooj, the key day to note is 23 October 2025 (Thursday).

Rituals & Celebrations

On the day (or in its muhurat/auspicious time) of Bhai Dooj / Bhai Phota, the following are common practices:

1. Inviting the brother: The sister invites her brother to her home (or visits his place) for a special meal. Sisters dress in new or festive clothes.

2. Puja & Tilak (Tika): The sister performs aarti of the brother, applies a tilak on his forehead (often red / vermilion and rice grains) and prays for his long life, success and well-being. 

In Bengal, in Bhai Phota: the tilak is applied, the paddy grass (dub) is placed, and sweets are fed to the brother. 

3. Feast & Gifts: Sisters prepare favourite sweets/dishes for brothers. Gifts may be exchanged: sisters receive return gifts from brothers in many families. The meal is often lavish and part of the festive joy. 

4. Brother’s vow: The brother promises to protect and support his sister in her life’s journey. This vow reinforces the relational bond.

5. Timing (Muhurat): The tilak and puja are preferably done in the Aparahna (afternoon) period of the day. For 2025, for example, the tilak muhurat is between ~1:13 PM to ~3:28 PM on 23 October. 

6. Symbolic elements: The tilak, aarti tray, sweets, new clothes, sometimes dry coconut (in some regions) — all symbolise auspiciousness and love

Historical & Mythological Origins

The festival has multiple mythic and cultural strands.

One widespread origin story holds that Yama (the god of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. She joyfully performed a arti, applied tilak to his forehead, and welcomed him with a feast, and he granted her a boon that any brother who receives such respect from his sister would live long. Hence the ritual of sister applying tilak and praying for her brother’s long life. 

Another narrative from northern India ties the origin to the time of Krishna after his slaying of the demon Narakasura: his sister Subhadra welcomed him with sweets and applied tilak, marking a sibling-celebration of that event. 

Over time, the ritual came to symbolize the affectionate relationship between brothers and sisters: the brother pledges to protect the sister, and the sister prays for his well-being and success.

In Bengal, the ritual is called Bhai Phota (“phota” meaning “mark” or “spot”/tilak) and has its own customs, though the underlying idea remains the same. 

Regional Names & Variations

While the festival is broadly known as Bhai Dooj in northern India, it has many regional names:

Bhai Tika (Nepal)

Bhau Beej / Bhai Beej (Maharashtra, Gujarat)

Yama Dwitiya (southern India)

Bhai Phota (West Bengal, Tripura, Bangladesh) 

The Bengali version—Bhai Phota—is celebrated with its own distinct style: tilak is applied to the brother’s forehead, sisters place a bit of paddy grass (dub) over his head, feed him sweets, and pray. 

Thus, these festivals reflect both unity (celebrating sibling bonds) and diversity (regional flavours).

Significance & Contemporary Relevance

The festival honours the sacred sibling bond: While in many parts of India the spotlight often falls on the brother-sister relationship during Raksha Bandhan (in August), Bhai Dooj provides another opportunity — post-Diwali — for this affectionate relationship to be celebrated. 

It underscores the mutual respect and duty: The sister prays for her brother’s well-being; the brother pledges protection. This relational exchange strengthens family ties and mutual responsibility.

Cultural significance: For many families, Bhai Dooj marks the final day of the Diwali festival cycle (in regions where Diwali spreads over multiple days) and ends the festive period with familial gatherings and rituals. 

Social relevance: In modern times, even amidst busy lives, the festival helps siblings take time out for one another — meeting, sharing, celebrating, reinforcing bonds.

Regional identity: Celebrating Bhai Phota in Bengal or Bhau Beej in Maharashtra helps preserve regional cultural identities while participating in the broader Indian festival network.

Celebrating Today: Tips & Ideas

If you and your family are preparing for Bhai Dooj (or Bhai Phota) this year, here are some practical ideas:

Plan ahead: Since the date is fixed (23 October 2025 for Bhai Dooj), inform siblings and plan the visit or virtual meet-up accordingly.

Puja items: Prepare the prayer tray (thali) with tilak (vermilion + rice), sweets, a small diya (lamp) or diya stand for aarti, fresh flowers.

Dress festively: Sisters and brothers can wear new or festive clothes, reflecting the specialness of the day.

Mind the muhurat: Try to perform the tilak and aarti during the auspicious afternoon window (for example ~1 PM to ~3:30 PM) if possible.

Feast or special meal: Prepare the brother’s favourite dishes/sweets; sisters may cook or order in a special meal.

Gifts & tokens: Though not mandatory, a small meaningful gift (book, accessory, personalised item) is a nice way to express affection.

Virtual inclusion: If siblings live far apart, a video call followed by dispatching sweets/gifts works well — the ritual’s essence is the bond.

Embrace regional flavour: If you are from Bengal, incorporate Bhai Phota special elements (tilak, dub grass, sweets). In other states, you may use the local custom (Bhau Beej etc.).

Share memories: Use this day to reminisce childhood moments, sibling adventures, and promise future togetherness — the festival is as much about emotion as ritual.

Conclusion

Bhai Dooj and Bhai Phota are more than just festival dates on the calendar; they are celebrations of love, responsibility and family ties. On Thursday, 23 October 2025, as sisters apply tilaks and brothers visit with open hearts, the ritual bridges past memories, current responsibilities and future promises. Whether you’re in Delhi or Kolkata, Mumbai or Patna, participating in this ritual connects you to centuries of tradition and one of the deepest human relationships: that of a brother and sister.

This year, let the tilak be more than colour on the forehead — let it be a symbol of gratitude, care and lifelong companionship. Happy Bhai Dooj 2025 and may the bond of siblings grow ever stronger.