New Delhi, October 23, 2025 – As the festive spirit of Diwali continues to illuminate homes across India, the heartwarming festival of Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhau Beej, Yama Dwitiya, or Bhai Tika, is being celebrated today with love and devotion. This cherished Hindu festival, dedicated to the unbreakable bond between brothers and sisters, brings families together in a joyful reaffirmation of sibling love and protection.
Bhai Dooj, typically observed on the second day of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Kartik, follows the grandeur of Diwali. This year, the festival falls on October 23, 2025, and is marked by rituals that symbolize mutual respect, care, and blessings. According to Hindu mythology, the festival commemorates the bond between Lord Yama, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna, who welcomed him with love and performed a protective tilak ceremony. Another legend ties it to Lord Krishna’s visit to his sister Subhadra after slaying the demon Narakasura, where she honored him with a tilak and sweets.
Across India, the day begins with sisters praying for their brothers’ long life and prosperity. The ceremony typically involves sisters applying a tilak (vermilion mark) on their brothers’ foreheads, offering sweets, and performing an aarti to ward off evil. In return, brothers pledge to protect their sisters and often exchange gifts as a token of love. “This festival is more than rituals; it’s about the emotions that tie us together,” said Priya Sharma, a Delhi-based homemaker, as she prepared a traditional thali for her brother. “Every year, Bhai Dooj reminds us to cherish and strengthen our bond.”
In regions like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, the festival is celebrated with unique regional flavors. In Maharashtra, known as Bhau Beej, sisters prepare special dishes like puran poli, while in Bengal, as Bhai Phonta, the rituals are accompanied by heartfelt chants and offerings. Temples and homes are adorned with rangolis, and families gather to share meals, stories, and laughter.
This year, spiritual leaders emphasized the festival’s deeper meaning. “Bhai Dooj teaches us the values of love, duty, and unity,” said Sonu Tyagi, Founder, Go Spiritual & Approach Entertainment. “In today’s fast-paced world, it’s a reminder to pause and nurture family ties.” Many are also embracing eco-friendly celebrations, opting for sustainable gifts and organic tilak materials to honor both tradition and the environment.
The Go Spiritual News Magazine & App team spoke to young siblings in Mumbai who are blending tradition with modernity. “I made a digital card for my brother this year, but the tilak ceremony remains sacred,” shared Ananya Desai, a college student. Her brother, Rohan, added, “I’m gifting her a meditation app subscription to align with the spiritual vibe of the festival.”
As Bhai Dooj 2025 unfolds, it continues to weave threads of love and protection, reminding us that the bond between siblings is a divine gift to be cherished. From bustling cities to quiet villages, the festival’s spirit resonates, bringing families closer in a celebration of togetherness.
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