Sat Nov 02 18:25:40 UTC 2024: ## Bhai Dooj 2024: Sisters to Celebrate with Tilak Ceremony on November 3rd
**New Delhi, India:** Bhai Dooj, the festival celebrating the bond between siblings, will be observed on November 3rd this year. This auspicious occasion marks the day sisters perform a traditional tilak ceremony on their brothers, wishing them a long and prosperous life.
The festival falls on the second day after Diwali, also known as Yam Dwitiya. The auspicious time for the tilak ceremony this year is between 1:10 PM and 3:22 PM, lasting for a duration of 2 hours and 12 minutes.
According to astrological calculations, the Dwitiya Tithi begins on November 2nd at 8:21 PM and concludes on November 3rd at 10:05 PM. While performing the tilak ritual, it is advised to avoid the Rahu Kalam, which is considered inauspicious.
A traditional Bhai Dooj thali should include items such as sindoor (vermilion), flowers, rice grains, betel nuts, betel leaves, a silver coin, coconut, a garland of flowers, sweets, a sacred thread (kalava), durva grass, and a banana. These elements are believed to be essential for a complete Bhai Dooj celebration.
On this day, sisters are advised to bathe early and offer prayers to their chosen deity, be it Lord Vishnu or Ganesha. After applying sindoor and rice to their brother’s hands, they place five betel leaves, betel nuts, and a silver coin on top. Subsequently, they apply the tilak to their brother’s forehead and recite a prayer for his longevity. The ceremony concludes with feeding sweets to the brother and performing an aarti.
Many brothers visit their sisters’ homes for a festive meal and exchange gifts.
First Piper 