Bhai Dooj Story: Bhai Dooj, also known as Yama Dwitiya or Bhatri Dwitiya, is an important festival dedicated to the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated two days after Diwali, on the second day of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the Kartik month. In 2025, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on October 23, when the DwitiyaTithi begins at 8:16 pm on October 22nd and lasts until 10:46 pm on October 23rd. The auspicious time for applying Tilak is from 1:13 pm to 3:28 pm.
This festival symbolizes the unbreakable love, trust, and affection between brothers and sisters, strengthening their bond in a manner similar to Raksha Bandhan. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers’ long life, prosperity, and protection, while brothers express their love by giving them gifts. Religiously, the festival provides relief from the fear of Yama and promotes family unity.
Read More: Gift These 10 Things to Your Brother’s As Per Vastu to Change his Fortune
The Significance of Bhai Dooj
The significance of Bhai Dooj extends beyond the familial to encompass mythological and cultural aspects as well. Hindu scriptures state that applying a tilak on this day increases the lifespan of brothers and brings good fortune to sisters. This festival teaches us that the value of relationships in life is far greater than money and material possessions. It celebrates mutual respect, protection, and unity between brothers and sisters. In today’s world, when people live busy lives, this festival connects them to their roots and strengthens family bonds.
Bhai Dooj Worship Method
The Bhai Dooj worship method is simple and traditional. In the morning, sisters bathe and decorate a puja plate. The plate contains roli, sandalwood paste, unbroken rice grains, flowers, betel leaves, betel nuts, coconut, durva (duva grass), sweets, sacred thread, bananas, vermillion, milk, yogurt, and other items. A square is made of rice flour at the entrance of the house. The brother is seated in the east or north direction. The sister first applies a tilak of sandalwood or roli to her brother’s forehead, then offers rice grains and flowers.
After this, she ties a sacred thread, feeds him sweets, and performs an aarti. During the puja, the story of Yama and Yamuna is narrated and a special mantra is chanted: “Ganga worships Yamuna; Yamuna worships Yamraj; Subhadra worships Krishna; Ganga and Yamuna water flow; may my brother’s life be prolonged.”
After the puja, the brother gives gifts to his sister, such as clothes, money, or jewelry, and seeks her blessings. The sister also feeds her brother. If possible, it is customary to bathe in the Yamuna River, which symbolizes her brother’s protection. This puja is performed in the afternoon.
The Story of Bhai Dooj
While there are many mythological stories related to brotherly friendship, the story of Yamuna and Yamaraj is the most popular. Yamuna, the daughter of Surya Dev and Chaya, repeatedly invited her brother Yamaraj to visit her home, but due to his busy schedule, Yamaraj was unable to visit her. Once, on the second day of the bright fortnight of the Kartik month, Yamuna arrived at Yamuna’s home.
Yamuna welcomed him with a grand welcome, applied a tilak (a mark of the moon), and fed him. Pleased with her hospitality, Yamraj asked Yamuna to ask for a boon, to which Yamuna replied that any sister who applies a tilak (a mark of the moon) to her brother on this day would be freed from the clutches of Yama and have a long life. Ragini granted her this boon, and this festival has been celebrated ever since. Another story is about Lord Krishna and Subhadra, where Subhadra applied a tilak (a mark of the moon) to Krishna after killing Narakasura.
FAQ-Bhai Dooj Story
What is the real story of Bhai Dooj?
The real story of Bhai Dooj is about Yamraj and Yamuna, in which, despite Yamuna’s repeated invitations, Yamraj was unable to meet her due to his busy schedule. However, upon reaching Yamuna’s home on the second day of the bright fortnight of Kartik month, Yamuna, pleased with the hospitality, granted him a boon.
What are some lines on Bhai Dooj?
Lines of Bhai Dooj, “Ganga worship Yamuna, Yami worship Yamraj, Subhadra worship Krishna, Ganga Yamuna water flows, may my brother’s life increase.”
What is the mantra of Bhai Dooj?
The mantra of Bhai Dooj is “Bhratri Dwitiya Naam Tithi Prashishta Yamuna Pura. Which is said while applying Tilak to the brother.
2 thoughts on “Bhai Dooj: Know the Popular Story of Yama and Yamuna”