Bhai Dooj, one of the important festivals celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, will be observed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Also known as Bhaiya Dooj and Yama Dwitiya, the festival is celebrated on the second day of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik, following Diwali.
The occasion holds special significance as sisters apply a ceremonial tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life, good health and prosperity. Brothers, in return, express their love and affection by giving gifts and reaffirming their commitment to protecting and supporting their sisters.
With the festival approaching, people are looking for the correct date, auspicious tilak timings and periods to avoid while performing the traditional rituals.
When is Bhai Dooj 2026? Check date and day
Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The festival is observed on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, which is the second lunar day of the bright fortnight.
According to the Hindu Panchang, the Dwitiya Tithi will begin at 2 PM on November 10 and continue until approximately 3:53 PM on November 11.
The afternoon period, known as Aparahna, is considered particularly auspicious for performing the Bhai Dooj tilak ceremony.
Check tilak shubh muhurat
The auspicious time for performing the Bhai Dooj tilak ceremony in New Delhi will be from 1:10 PM to 3:20 PM on November 11, with a total duration of 2 hours and 10 minutes.
In Punjab, timings vary slightly by city. In Ludhiana, the tilak muhurat is calculated from 1:15 PM to 3:23 PM.
Sisters traditionally perform the tilak ceremony during this afternoon window, followed by aarti and prayers for their brothers' well-being.
Rahu Kaal on Bhai Dooj 2026: Which time should be avoided?
Rahu Kaal is traditionally considered an inauspicious period for beginning important activities and is generally avoided while planning religious ceremonies.
On November 11, Rahu Kaal in New Delhi will fall between 12:05 PM and 1:26 PM.
Since Rahu Kaal overlaps with the beginning of the afternoon tilak muhurat, those following the traditional restriction can perform the ceremony after Rahu Kaal ends, while the auspicious Aparahna period continues.
Why is Bhai Dooj celebrated? Know its significance
Bhai Dooj is associated with the traditional story of Lord Yama, the god of death, and his sister, Goddess Yamuna.
According to Hindu mythology, Yamuna welcomed her brother Yama to her home with great affection, applied a tilak on his forehead and offered him a meal. Pleased with her hospitality, Yama blessed her and declared that brothers who visit their sisters on this day and receive their blessings would be blessed with long life and prosperity.
The tradition of sisters applying tilak, performing aarti and offering sweets to their brothers is believed to have originated from this story.
