Bhai Dooj 2026: Is it on November 10 or 11? Check city-wise tilak muhurat for Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and other cities

Bhai Dooj 2026: Bhai Dooj falls will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 11 this year. This festival concludes the five-day Diwali festivities. It is also known as Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej, Bhai Phonta, and Yama Dwitiya, and it celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters put a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, perform aarti, and pray for their long life, good health, and prosperity.

The tilak is traditionally applied during the Aparahna period, and that window shifts a little from city to city with local sunrise and sunset. Here are the timings for your city.

Bhai Dooj 2026: Date and muhurat

Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Tithi: Kartik Shukla Dwitiya

Auspicious period: Aparahna Kaal

Significance: Prayers for brothers’ long life, happiness and prosperity

According to the Hindu Panchang, Dwitiya Tithi begins at 2:00 PM on November 10 and ends at about 3:53 PM on November 11, 2026. The tilak is traditionally applied in the Aparahna period of the day on which Dwitiya Tithi is in effect, so sisters should try to do it within the window below on November 11.

City-wise Bhai Dooj tilak muhurat

All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST) and apply to the city listed. Local Panchang calculations may differ slightly depending on the method used.

Bhai Dooj 2026 Panchang details

Bhai Dooj falls on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya and is also observed as Yama Dwitiya. These are the Panchang details for November 11, 2026, as per New Delhi timings.

Why Aparahna Kaal matters

Aparahna Kaal is the afternoon part of the day in the Hindu calendar. According to tradition, the Bhai Dooj tilak should be applied in this period while Kartik Shukla Dwitiya is in effect.

The festival is tied to the legend of Lord Yama and his sister Yamuna. As the story goes, Yamuna invited Yama to her home, put a tilak on his forehead and served him a meal. Yama was so moved by her affection and hospitality that he blessed her and declared that brothers who receive a tilak from their sisters on this day would have long life and prosperity.

The custom has been passed down through generations. Sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being, and brothers show their love with gifts and blessings.

Bhai Dooj 2026 puja vidhi

On Bhai Dooj, sisters usually prepare a puja thali with roli, akshat (rice grains), a diya, sweets, flowers and other puja items. The ceremony generally goes like this:

1. Prepare the thali: Keep the roli, rice grains, diya, flowers and sweets ready.

2. Apply the tilak: During the muhurat, put roli and rice grains on your brother’s forehead.

3. Do the aarti: Light the diya and perform aarti for your brother.

4. Offer sweets: Give him sweets as part of the celebration.

5. Pray for him: Ask for his happiness, good health and long life.

6. Exchange gifts: Brothers give their sisters gifts as a token of love and appreciation.

Rituals vary by region and family, but the idea behind them is the same: marking the lifelong bond between siblings.

(This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)