Bhai Dooj is a very important festival in India. It celebrates the bond between brother and sister. For families who live abroad and for many in the UAE this day feels even more special. It brings everyone a little closer to home.
So when is Bhai Dooj in 2025. What time should the puja happen. Let us understand it better.
Bhai Dooj 2025 Date
In 2025 Bhai Dooj will fall on – Thursday 23 October. The tithi starts on 22 October at 8:16 in the evening and ends on 23 October at 10:46 in the night. The main celebration is on 23 October when sisters put tilak on the forehead of their brothers.
For Indian families living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or any other part of the UAE – the date stays the same. You can do the puja at home with the same traditions that are followed in India.
Puja Timings for Bhai Dooj 2025
When is bhai dooj celebrated? As per the panchang – the shubh muhurat for tilak in New Delhi is from 1:13 in the afternoon to 3:28. That gives a window of about two hours and fifteen minutes.
The UAE runs one and a half hours behind India so families here can shift the time. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi the tilak can be done between 11:43 in the morning and 1:58 in the afternoon.
This is seen as the most auspicious time. Doing the ritual in this span is believed to bring prosperity and a long life for brothers.
Note: Families living outside India should follow the local muhurat instead of the Indian one. The lunar calendar is the same but the clock changes with the time zone. So in places like UAE – the tilak time shifts about one and a half hours earlier than New Delhi. This way – your puja stays aligned with the right astrological period.
Why Bhai Dooj Is Celebrated
The festival comes from old tales in Indian mythology. Bhai Dooj carries many stories and each one shows the love between brother and sister.
One story is about Yamraj – the god of death and his sister Yamuna. On this day Yamuna welcomes her brother into her home. She then puts tilak on his forehead and prays for his long life. Yamraj felt her love and blessed her saying any brother who gets tilak on this day will live long and stay healthy. That is why sisters still do the tilak on Bhai Dooj.
Another story tells of Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra. After Krishna defeats the demon Narakasura he comes back home. Subhadra greets him with aarti, places tilak on his forehead and gives him sweets while praying for his safety. That act too became part of Bhai Dooj.
In some places the day is also linked with Chitragupta – the god who keeps the record of karma. Families pray to him asking for peace and balance in their bonds.
Every story carries the same message. A sister prays for her brother and the brother promises to protect her. This blend of is what keeps Bhai Dooj strong even today.
Read More About: When Is Diwali and How to Celebrate Diwali In Dubai
Astrological Significance of Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj always comes on Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. That’s the second day after Diwali. It is not just a random date on the calendar. People believe this time carries special energy for brothers and sisters.
As per the panchang – the Sun and Moon line up in a way that makes this day lucky. Doing tilak and aarti in this window is said to bring long life and safety for brothers. Many families check the shubh muhurat carefully. The idea is simple – when rituals match with the planets – the blessings are stronger.
The old story of Yamraj and Yamuna connects here too. Yamraj visited his sister on this very tithi. She welcomed him with tilak and prayers and in return he promised that any brother who gets tilak on this day will stay healthy and live long. That blessing – tied with the lunar calendar – became the heart of Bhai Dooj.
So yes – it is about love and family. But for many – it’s also about the stars, the timing, and the belief that the universe supports the bond of siblings on this day.
How Bhai Dooj Is Celebrated
Sisters set up a small thali with roli or kumkum for tilak. They also add rice – sweets – diya and sometimes flowers.
The brother sits down and the sister places tilak on his forehead. She gives him sweets and prays for his well being.
Puja Vidhi Step by Step
The puja on Bhai Dooj is simple yet every small act carries meaning. Here is how it is done step by step-
1. Get the space ready
Clean the area where you plan to sit. Place a small mat for the brother. Some families also make rangoli to bring a festive touch.
2. Arrange the thali
Keep a diya filled with ghee or oil. Add roli or kumkum for the tilak. Place rice grains known as Akshat – keep sweets ready along with a small glass of water. You can also add flowers or betel nuts if you wish.
3. Start the ritual
Light the diya and set it in the thali. The brother sits facing the east direction – then the sister applies tilak on his forehead.
4. Perform aarti
Move the thali in circles in front of the brother. Sprinkle rice grains after applying tilak and offer sweets to him.
5. Exchange gifts
The sister blesses her brother and may give a small gift of their liking. The brother then gives a gift in return, often something chosen with thought.
Alternatives for Expats in the UAE
Living away from India can make it tough to find every ritual item. But families in Dubai or Abu Dhabi can still keep Bhai Dooj alive with easy swaps.
- Roli or Kumkum can be replaced with red sandalwood paste or turmeric mixed with water for tilak
- Diya can be a small tealight if the traditional one is not there
- Sweets can be chocolates or cakes since they are simple to find in the UAE
- Flowers like roses or lilies can take the place of marigolds and carry the same spirit
- You can make rangoli with paper cut outs or stickers instead of powders
Even when brothers and sisters live in different cities or in different countries the ritual can still take place. A sister can put tilak over a video call and pray for them. The way may change but the love stays the same.
Bhai Dooj vs Raksha Bandhan
Both festivals honor the bond of siblings yet they differ in time and in rituals.
- Raksha Bandhan takes place in Shravan around July or August. While Bhai Dooj comes after Diwali in October or November.
- On Raksha Bandhan a sister ties a rakhi on the wrist of her brother. On Bhai Dooj she places a tilak on his forehead.
- Both carry prayers for a long life but each has its own meaning.
Celebrating Bhai Dooj Away From Home
Many brothers and sisters in the UAE live far from their families yet the festival still holds its meaning.
- A video call can bridge the gap. A sister can do tilak on screen and celebrate despite miles between them.
- A surprise delivery of cakes or hampers can make the day feel bright.
- Friends who live like family can gather and celebrate together keeping the spirit alive.
Even away from India Bhai Dooj pulls siblings closer through small and simple acts.
Food Traditions of Bhai Dooj
No Indian festival feels whole without food and Bhai Dooj is no different. After the tilak sisters prepare dishes for their brothers. The idea is simple – food is love and feeding a brother is a blessing in itself.
In many homes sweets are made fresh. Some families go for puris and curries while others serve thalis with dal and vegetables. Each part of India has its own taste. In Uttar Pradesh kachoris and sweets are common. For Bengal rice desserts lead the table of the households. In Gujarat people enjoy festive farsan.
For families in the UAE making every dish may not be easy but there are simple ways to keep the feeling alive.
Food on Bhai Dooj is more than ritual. It brings back childhood meals, the laughter around the table and the comfort of care. Even when siblings live far apart the day can bring back that same warmth in a modern way.
Conclusion
So to answer the question – when is Bhai Dooj? Bhai Dooj in 2025 will be on Thursday 23 October with the tilak time in the UAE between 11:43 in the morning and 1:58 in the afternoon.
Living in the UAE away from the big Indian celebrations makes the day even more special.
Moreover, at the heart of Bhai Dooj is a promise. A sister prays for her brother to live long and healthy and the brother vows to stand by her side. In 2025 let that promise shine brighter than ever.
