The bond between brothers and sisters is a very unique one. There are times when the siblings are seen fighting over silly things, and the other times when they can’t even live without each other. Besides Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj is an Indian festival that honors this beautiful bond. 

Bhai Dooj is one of India’s biggest festivals, observed two days after Diwali and a day after the Govardhan Puja. It falls on the second lunar day of the Hindu calendar’s Shukla Paksha of Kartika month.  

Did you know that Bhai Dooj is also known by different names and is celebrated with different rituals? It’s also known as Bhai Phonta, Bhaubeej, and Yama Dwitiya. Let’s have a look at how Bhai Dooj is celebrated in different states of India: 

When is Bhai Dooj 2023?

Bhai Dooj falls a few days after Diwali every year. This year, the festival will be held on 15th November. The tithi will begin at 04:06 AM on 14th November and end at 03:17 AM on 15th November. 

Bhai Dooj celebrations across different states in India

1. West Bengal

In West Bengal, Bhai Dooj is known as ‘Bhai Phonta,’ the day is observed a day or two after the Kali Puja festival. Sisters organize a grand feast for their brothers. They get ready for the festival and keep a fast until the tika ceremony is done. 

Sisters then apply a tilak made of Chandan, kajal, and ghee on their brother’s forehead and pray for his longevity and well-being. Sisters then also give Bhai Dooj gifts for brothers. Kheer and coconut laddoos are popular sweets at this West Bengal festival. 

2. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh

Bhai Dooj celebrations in Bihar and certain parts of Uttar Pradesh are done in a very unique way. Sisters hurl choicest curses for their brothers, and then, as a punishment, they prick their tongues. 

The reason for cursing their brothers is to ward off the evil energies and ill effects of the spirits or bury the ‘Nazar’ that may surround their brothers. The rest of the ceremony is done by applying the tika on their forehead. Brothers and sisters exchange Bhai Dooj gifts and have breakfast or lunch together. 

3. Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa

In Maharashtra and Goa, the festival is also known as Bhaubeej. Sisters keep a fast from the morning. They draw a square where their brothers sit and consume a karith fruit. The sisters then apply a tilak on their brother’s forehead, pray for their longevity, success, and good health, and then do their aarti.

In Gujarat, the Bhai Dooj is celebrated by applying tilak on the forehead of brothers and then doing prayers and aartis of brothers. 

The sisters who don’t have brothers also uniquely celebrate Bhaubeej. They apply mehendi designs on their hands as a part of the ritual and offer prayers to the Moon God. This is one of the unique ways how Bhai Dooj is celebrated across India.

In these states, Kheerni poori, shrikhand poori, and basundi poori are some popular sweet dishes prepared on Bhai Dooj. 

4. Bhai Dooj celebrations in Nepal

Besides the various states in India, even our bordering country, Nepal, celebrates Bhai Dooj with the same joy and enthusiasm as we do. Bhai Dooj is also called Bhai Tika in Nepal and is celebrated after Dashain or Dussehra, and the third day of the Tyohar festival. Bhai Dooj is a widely celebrated festival in Nepal, observed by the Maithali, Newari, Bahun, Chhetri, and Tharu communities. 

On this day, the sisters ask Lord Yamraj, the god of death and justice, for their brothers’ long life and happiness. The sisters then apply a seven-color tilak on the forehead of their brothers. Siblings also give each other gifts, such as Bhai Dooj sweets, dry fruits, etc., as a token of their love and care. 

India is a land of festivals, where each month, we are busy preparing for and celebrating many unique occasions. Bhai Dooj is one of the famous festivals celebrated across India with the utmost joy and enthusiasm between siblings. Brothers and sisters don’t usually express their feelings for each other, but this festival brings a golden opportunity for them to convey their love for each other. 

Every corner of India has its unique way of celebrating this beautiful festival. How do you celebrate Bhai Dooj? Have you started Bhai Dooj 2023 preparations? Let us know in the comments below! For more information and gift ideas for this festival, keep visiting Rakhi.in.