Bhai Dooj 2026 भाई दूज
Wednesday, 11 November 2026 · October–November
Bhai Dooj 2026 is on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and prosperity; brothers visit and honour their sisters. It falls on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya in the Hindu lunar calendar.
Bhai Dooj 2026 date
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Bhai Dooj — dates by year
| 2026 | Wednesday, 11 November 2026 |
| 2027 | Sunday, 31 October 2027 |
| 2028 | Thursday, 19 October 2028 |
Two days after Diwali this year due to the Dwitiya tithi placement.
Date cross-checked against multiple panchang sources; regional observance can differ by a day.
Bhai Dooj at a glance
| Date (2026) | Wednesday, 11 November 2026 |
| Lunar day | Kartik Shukla Dwitiya |
| Usual month | October–November |
| Category | Family |
The story behind Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj closes the Diwali festival and, like Raksha Bandhan, celebrates the brother–sister bond. It recalls Yamuna welcoming her brother Yama, the god of death, with a tilak and a meal, for which Yama blessed the day.
Significance of Bhai Dooj
Sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and prosperity; brothers visit and honour their sisters.
How Bhai Dooj is celebrated
- The sister applies a tilak and performs aarti for the brother
- The brother gives a gift and shares a special meal at the sister’s home
- Sisters pray for the brother’s long life
Regional variations
Called Bhai Dooj / Bhai Tika in the North, Bhau Beej in Maharashtra, Bhai Phonta in Bengal, and Yama Dwitiya more widely.
Festive foods of Bhai Dooj
Traditional dishes prepared for Bhai Dooj include the brother’s favourite dishes and festive sweets.
Quick tips
- Apply the tilak during an auspicious window
- Visit or host your sibling for a shared meal
Choosing the muhurat on Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj falls on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. To choose an auspicious time on the day, open the muhurat planner for your city and check the day's choghadiya and the Rahu Kaal to avoid. For the exact date this year, see the panchang calendar, and for weddings or a housewarming near this festival, confirm the muhurat with a qualified pandit.
Hindu festival dates follow the lunar calendar and vary each year; regional traditions can differ by a day. For the exact date this year, confirm with your local panchang or pandit.
Common questions
When is Bhai Dooj 2026?
Bhai Dooj 2026 is on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. It falls on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya; because the Hindu calendar is lunar, the Gregorian date shifts each year. Two days after Diwali this year due to the Dwitiya tithi placement.
Why is Bhai Dooj celebrated?
Bhai Dooj closes the Diwali festival and, like Raksha Bandhan, celebrates the brother–sister bond. It recalls Yamuna welcoming her brother Yama, the god of death, with a tilak and a meal, for which Yama blessed the day.
How is Bhai Dooj observed?
Common observances include The sister applies a tilak and performs aarti for the brother; The brother gives a gift and shares a special meal at the sister’s home; Sisters pray for the brother’s long life.
How is Bhai Dooj celebrated in different regions?
Called Bhai Dooj / Bhai Tika in the North, Bhau Beej in Maharashtra, Bhai Phonta in Bengal, and Yama Dwitiya more widely.
What foods are made for Bhai Dooj?
Traditional dishes include the brother’s favourite dishes and festive sweets.