Spirituality

Bhai Dooj falls on November 11 in 2026

CNBCTV18 reports that Bhai Dooj, a Hindu celebration of the bond shared by siblings, falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Families mark the occasion with prayers, sweets and gatherings, while sisters traditionally apply a tilak, a mark, to their brothers' foreheads.

The festival comes two days after Diwali and is also known as Yama Dwitiya, according to CNBCTV18. Lokmat Times reports that it concludes the five-day Diwali celebrations and is known in Maharashtra as Bhaubeej or Bhav Bij.

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Siblings share prayers and meals#

For the ceremony, sisters prepare a thali, or tray, with roli, rice grains, flowers, sweets and a diya, according to CNBCTV18. Some families also include curd. After welcoming a brother, a sister applies the tilak and places rice grains on it.

CNBCTV18 reports that sisters perform aarti with a lit diya and pray for their brothers' health and happiness. Sweets and a special meal are part of the observance, while brothers give gifts in return. Bombay Times says sisters in Maharashtra invite their brothers home for a meal and traditional rituals.

The festival is associated with Yama, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna, according to Lokmat Times. Bombay Times describes a Hindu myth in which Yamuna welcomed Yama to her home, applied a tilak to his forehead and offered him a meal.

The lunar date spans two days#

Lokmat Times reports that the observance takes place on Dwitiya, the bright fortnight's second lunar day in the Hindu month of Kartik. According to the Hindu Panchang cited by CNBCTV18, that lunar day begins at 2 pm on November 10 and ends at 3:53 pm on November 11.

Timesbull says the November 11 festival date takes account of Udaya Tithi, the lunar date at sunrise, as well as the afternoon period. Lokmat Times reports that the rituals are traditionally performed when Dwitiya is present during Aparahna, the afternoon phase of the day.

For New Delhi, Drik Panchang lists the Aparahna window for the tilak ceremony on November 11 as 1:10 pm to 3:20 pm, CNBCTV18 reports. Lokmat Times notes that the ceremony's timing is city-specific.

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