Fri Nov 01 21:08:10 UTC 2024: ## Bhai Dooj to be Celebrated on November 3rd: All You Need to Know About the Rituals

**New Delhi:** The festival of Bhai Dooj, marking the end of the five-day Diwali celebrations, will be observed on November 3rd this year. This special day, dedicated to the love between siblings, sees sisters perform a traditional tilak ceremony for their brothers, followed by gift exchanges and vows of protection.

This year, there was some confusion surrounding the Diwali dates, which has trickled down to the subsequent festivities. However, according to the Hindu calendar, the auspicious date of Kartik Shukla Dwitiya falls on November 3rd.

Bhai Dooj, also known as Yama Dwitiya in some regions, is a day when merchants perform the Chitragupta Puja. The legend behind the festival is rooted in the unbreakable bond between Yama, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna.

**Preparing for Bhai Dooj:**

Sisters who wish to perform the tilak ceremony should prepare a special thali with the following items:

* **Roli and Chandan:** These are the traditional red and white powders used for the tilak.
* **Diya:** A lit diya symbolizes light and prosperity.
* **Sweets:** A token of love and sweetness for the brother.
* **Fruits:** Symbolic of good health and well-being.
* **Flowers:** Offering flowers signifies respect and adoration.

**Performing the Tilak:**

* The sister should draw a tilak mark on her brother’s forehead using roli and chandan.
* She should offer him sweets, fruits, and flowers.
* She should light the diya and perform aarti for her brother.
* Lastly, the brother promises to protect his sister and cherish their bond.

Bhai Dooj is a day of love, celebration, and strengthening the unbreakable bond between siblings.

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