The festival of Bhai Dooj (also known as Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej, Bhai Tika) is a beautiful occasion celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters: gratitude, protection, and familial love. In 2025, Bhai Dooj once again marks the closing of the Diwali festival period and provides an opportunity for siblings to come together, perform rituals, exchange gifts and strengthen their bond.
Date & Auspicious Time for Bhai Dooj 2025
Here are the key date & time details for Bhai Dooj 2025:
- Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025.
- Tithi (Dwitiya of Shukla Paksha in Kartik month) begins: ~ 08:16 PM on 22 October.
- Tithi ends: ~ 10:46 PM on 23 October.
- The “Aparahna” (afternoon) muhurat for tilak and rituals: around 12:48 PM to 03:24 PM IST in many places.
- According to international timing (for US/UK/Canada) the Tithi begins Oct 22 afternoon (India time) and ends Oct 23 morning/afternoon.
So, if you’re planning the Bhai Dooj celebration in India (including Kolkata), the day to focus on is 23 October 2025, with the key ritual window in the afternoon being a good choice.
Significance & Rituals
Why we celebrate
- Mythologically, Bhai Dooj is associated with the legend of Yama (god of death) and his sister Yamuna. On this day the sister welcomed her brother, performed tilak, and prayed for his long life — Yama granted a boon that any brother who visits his sister and participates in the tilak-ceremony would be long-lived.
- It follows the five-day festival of Diwali, symbolising completion of the festive cycle and reinforcing sibling bond.
How it is celebrated
- The sister invites her brother, does a ritual bath, then decorates a thali (plate) with roli (vermilion), rice grains, sweets, diya (lamp) etc. She applies tilak on brother’s forehead, does aarti, and offers sweets & food.
- The brother in turn offers her a gift, blessings, and sometimes cash or token of affection. They share a meal together.
- In different regions the festival has local names and slightly different customs: e.g., Bhau Beej (Maharashtra/Gujarat), Bhai Phonta (West Bengal) among others.
What to do this year
Bhai Dooj 2025 falls on 23 Oct, you can plan ahead:
- Ensure sibling(s) are available that day (maybe book travel or call if far away)
- Prepare the tilak & thali beforehand (roli, rice, sweets, small diya)
- Plan a nice sibling-gift exchange to make the day memorable
- If you’re hosting, a nice meal (homemade or ordered) adds to the joy
Bhai Dooj 2025 Gift Ideas for Brothers and Sisters
Exchanging gifts adds fun and meaning to Bhai Dooj. Here are some thoughtful ideas tailored for brothers and sisters:
Gift Ideas for Sisters
- Personalised jewellery or keepsake – e.g., a name-engraved pendant, bracelet, or photo-frame with a memorable sibling picture.
- Wellness/self-care kit – skincare set, spa voucher, bath-bombs & candles, an at-home pamper box.
- Hobby/interest based gift – if she’s into art, pick a sketch-set; into reading, a special edition book; into music, a nice set of earphones/headphones.
- Fashion accessory – stylish scarf, sling-bag, watch, or a custom printed tote/mug with a sibling quote.
- Experience together – movie outing, dinner together, sibling trip, or a day-out plan where you spend time together (often more valuable than the item).
Gift Ideas for Brothers
- Gadget accessory or tech gift – wireless charger, stylish power-bank, bluetooth speaker, smart-watch strap, etc.
- Experience or adventure gift – tickets for a sport/event he’s excited about, or a voucher for his favourite activity.
- Customized items – engraved wallet, personalized key-chain, or a photo book of sibling memories.
- Clothing/gear – a nice shirt, a heavyweight hoodie, sneakers, or a hobby gear if he has a passion (e.g., cycling gloves, guitar picks).
- Subscription or membership – streaming service, gym membership, magazine or book-club subscription that he’d appreciate.
Tips to Choose the Perfect Gift
- Think about what they love rather than just what’s trending.
- Personal touches matter — a small note, sibling photo, or memory add a lot of value.
- If siblings live far apart, consider online ordering with delivery, or plan a virtual gift reveal/celebration.
- Combine utility + sentiment: something they’ll use often and also feel attached to.
- Plan ahead — since Bhai Dooj falls during the busy post-Diwali period, items may get delayed.
Conclusion
Mark your calendar for Thursday, 23 October 2025, gather the tilak thali, prepare your heart and gifts, and celebrate Bhai Dooj with the warmth it deserves. Whether you are the sister blessing the brother or the brother giving thanks through a gift, the day is about more than ritual — it’s about care, protection and lifelong bond.
Wishing you a joyous Bhai Dooj 2025 — filled with laughter, memories, and shared celebrations.
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