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EveryParampara

Next: 11 Nov 2026

Bhai Dooj

The last day of Diwali, when sisters bless their brothers with a tilak and a meal, and receive a gift.

Bhai Dooj
Photo: SandeshLamsalNepal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When is Bhai Dooj in 2026?

Bhai Dooj 2026 is on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Other years: 2027, Sunday, 31 October 2027; 2028, Thursday, 19 October 2028.

About Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj, also called Bhau Beej, Bhai Phonta and Tihar's Bhai Tika, falls on the second day after Diwali. A sister puts a tilak on her brother's forehead, prays for his long life, and serves him a special meal, often his favourite dishes. Brothers give gifts and promise to look after their sisters. In Bengal the Bhai Phonta tilak is made of sandalwood paste, ghee and kajal, with a reciting of verses; in Nepal, Bhai Tika uses a seven-colour tika and a garland of marigold flowers. The day has a legend tied to Yama and his sister Yamuna. Cousins and brothers of friends are included in the observance.

Bhai Dooj dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

YearBhai Dooj date
2026Wednesday, 11 November 2026
2027Sunday, 31 October 2027
2028Thursday, 19 October 2028

What is eaten

  • kheer
  • peda
  • sandesh

Traditions of Bhai Dooj

Raksha BandhanThe summer sibling festival.

Also part of it, and being written: Bhai Tika (The Nepali version at the end of Tihar.), Yamuna (The sister of Yama, who began the tradition.).

More marked on Bhai Dooj

🇮🇳 Ayodhya, India and 7 moreDiwaliदीपावली (Dīpāvalī) A five-day festival of lights celebrated across India and its diaspora to mark the victory of light over darkness.Festival · Feasts and festival meals 🇮🇳 Badrinath, IndiaChota Char Dham Four Himalayan shrines in Uttarakhand, visited in one season each yearSpiritual
About this page

Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Bhaubeej" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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