Bhai Beej
GujaratiAlso known as: Bhai Dooj, Yama Dwitiya, Bhau Beej
Bhai Beej
About Bhai Beej
Bhai Beej, also known as Bhai Dooj, is celebrated on the second day after Diwali (Kartak Sud Bij) and honours the sacred bond between brothers and sisters.
Sisters apply a protective tilak on their brothers foreheads, perform aarti, and pray for their long life and prosperity. Brothers offer gifts and promises of protection.
The festival is rooted in the legend of Lord Yama visiting his sister Yamuna, who welcomed him with a sumptuous meal and applied a tilak on his forehead. Yama blessed her that all brothers receiving such tilak would be protected.
Families gather for festive meals, exchange gifts, and celebrate the enduring sibling relationship. Special sweets like churma and mohanthal are prepared.
Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules
Sisters may observe a partial fast until the tilak ceremony.
- Sisters prepare the tilak material and aarti thali.
- Apply tilak on the brothers forehead.
- Perform aarti and pray for brothers well-being.
- Brother offers gifts and blessings.
Parana (Breaking Fast) Note: The fast is broken after the tilak ceremony and aarti.
Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps
- Sisters prepare the aarti thali.
- Brother sits before the sister.
- Sister applies tilak on brothers forehead.
- Sister performs aarti and prays for long life.
- Brother gives gifts and blessings.
- Family shares a festive meal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Lord Yama visited his sister Yamuna who welcomed him with a tilak and feast. Yama blessed that all brothers receiving such tilak would be protected.
Yes, siblings can celebrate over video calls or by sending tilak and gifts by post.
Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.
Recommended Pages
Comprehensive annual Hindu calendar with tithis and festivals.
Detailed month-wise view of lunar tithis and celestial events.
Marathi Panchang and festive dates for the year.
Gujarati Vikram Samvat calendar and festivals.
Telugu calendar and festive Panchangam details.
Tamil solar calendar dates and monthly Panchangam.