Bhai Dooj 2026: Date, Samagri and Vidhi

Bhai Dooj closes the five days of Diwali. Sisters apply tilak to their brothers and pray for their long life, and brothers give a gift in return: an echo of Raksha Bandhan with its own regional character.

With Raksha Bandhan and Karwa Chauth, it is one of the calendar’s festivals of family bonds: Rakhi and Bhai Dooj for brother and sister, Karwa Chauth for husband and wife.

The day is also called Yama Dwitiya, after Yamuna welcoming her brother Yama to her home, which is why Yama and Yamuna are remembered as the tilak is applied.

Dates are for New Delhi, checked against Drik Panchang on 15 October 2026. In North America, the UK and elsewhere a tithi can fall a day earlier or later, so check a panchang set to your own city.

The five days of Diwali

Bhai Dooj samagri checklist

The Grantha gives the outline of this observance; the fuller checklist follows common household practice, cross-checked against several panchang and puja guides. Family and regional traditions vary, so keep what your household keeps.

The Bhai Dooj vidhi, in short

1. PreparationBrother and sister bathe and dress in fresh clothes. The brother sits facing east on a clean seat, the sister opposite him.
2. TilakThe sister lights the diya, remembering Yama and Yamuna, applies the roli tilak with akshata on top, and showers a few petals, praying for her brother’s long life. The tilak is traditionally done in the afternoon, while the Dwitiya tithi lasts.
3. AartiShe circles the diya before him and, where the family does, ties moli on his right wrist.
4. Sweets and giftsShe feeds him a sweet and gives the coconut; he gives her a gift in return. The family gathers for a meal.

Read more in the Chaitanya Grantha

• Vol 8 · Chaitanya Festival Calendar · Ch 7 Kartik — Diwali Month Kartik month: Bhai Dooj within the five days of Diwali
• Vol 8 · Chaitanya Festival Calendar · Ch 4 Sravana — The Sawan Month Shravan month: Raksha Bandhan, its summer counterpart
• Vol 6 · Chaitanya Diya & Flame Guide · Ch 9 Diwali — The Festival of Lights Diwali diyas: the count for each of the five days

For retailers: the Bhai Dooj kit

Bhai Dooj Blessing Box

Everything for the Bhai Dooj puja, assembled in one box for grocery chains, importers and distributors. Private label available.

See the kit Say Namaste on WhatsApp

Other festivals of the season