Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhai Phota or Bhai Teeka is a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
This year Bhai Dooj muhurat is between 01:10 pm and 03:19 pm on November 14. For those who won't be able to fit in the teeka inside this muhurat, a wider window is available between 02:36 pm on November 14 and 1:47 pm on Nov 15.
Bhai Dooj celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. ‘Bhai’ means brother and ‘Dooj’ means the second day after the new moon. This festival also protects the siblings from evil forces and brings prosperity to their lives.
Brothers often give gifts to their sisters as a token of appreciation and love. This symbolises the mutual care and affection between siblings.
The ceremony involves the brother giving a gift to his sister and receiving her blessings in return. It is a gesture of mutual respect and appreciation.
On this day, sisters perform aarti (a basic ritual) of their brothers and apply a tika (vermilion mark) on their foreheads. This symbolises the sister's love and prayers for the well-being and long life of her brother.
According to one legend, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra after defeating the demon Narakasura. Subhadra welcomed him with aarti and applied tilak on his forehead. This event is believed to have set the tradition of Bhai Dooj.
In some regions, Bhai Dooj is also celebrated as a harvest festival. It marks the end of the harvesting season, and farmers pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.