Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Holi Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhratri Dwitiya, will be observed on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Celebrated two days after Holi, this festival honours the special bond between brothers and sisters. Much like Bhai Dooj celebrated after Diwali, Holi Bhai Dooj marks love, protection, and lifelong companionship among siblings.
According to the Hindu calendar, the festival falls on the Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra.
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TILAK MUHURAT AND TITHI TIMINGS
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Dwitiya Tithi Begins: 04:48 PM on March 4, 2026
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Dwitiya Tithi Ends: 05:03 PM on March 5, 2026
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Holi Bhai Dooj Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
The tilak ceremony is ideally performed during the Dwitiya Tithi on March 5. Devotees are advised to perform rituals during auspicious daytime hours while the tithi prevails.
RITUALS OF HOLI BHAI DOOJ
APPLYING THE TILAK
Sisters apply a sacred tilak of roli and rice on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life and prosperity. In return, brothers promise to protect and support their sisters.
AARTI AND SWEETS
After the tilak, sisters perform aarti and offer sweets. Traditional delicacies prepared during Holi are shared as part of the celebration.
EXCHANGE OF GIFTS
Brothers present gifts as a token of appreciation and affection. This gesture symbolises gratitude and strengthens the sibling bond.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FESTIVAL
Holi Bhai Dooj is rooted in Hindu mythology. According to legend, Yamraj, the God of Death, visited his sister Yamuna on this day. She welcomed him with tilak and hospitality, and in return, Yamraj granted her a boon that brothers who receive tilak from their sisters on this day will be blessed with long life and protection.
The festival reflects themes of forgiveness, renewal, and familial love—echoing the spirit of Holi itself.
CULTURAL IMPORTANCE ACROSS INDIA
While not as widely celebrated as Raksha Bandhan or Bhai Dooj after Diwali, Holi Bhai Dooj holds deep cultural value in several regions of North India. It serves as a beautiful reminder that festivals are not just about colours and celebration, but also about relationships and emotional bonds.
As families gather to mark the occasion on March 5, 2026, Holi Bhai Dooj once again reinforces the timeless tradition of sibling love and mutual respect.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
