Tue Oct 21 02:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

Bhai Dooj Celebrations Set for October 23rd, Strengthening Sibling Bonds

New Delhi, [Current Date] – The Hindu festival of Bhai Dooj, a celebration of the cherished bond between brothers and sisters, will be observed on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025. Also known as Yama Dwitiya in some regions, this auspicious occasion falls on the fifth and final day of Diwali festivities.

On Bhai Dooj, sisters traditionally apply a ’tilak’ (a sacred mark) on their brothers’ foreheads, praying for their long life, prosperity, and good health. The tradition involves sisters preparing special dishes and sweets for their brothers. In return, brothers offer gifts and reaffirm their commitment to protect their sisters throughout their lives.

According to the Hindu calendar, the Dwitiya Tithi (second lunar day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the month of Kartik will begin at 8:16 PM on Wednesday, October 22nd and end at 10:46 PM on Thursday, October 23rd. The most auspicious time for the Bhai Dooj ceremony on October 23rd is between 1:13 PM and 3:28 PM.

The ritual involves preparing a ‘thali’ (plate) with roli (red powder), akshat (rice), a coconut, and sweets. The puja (prayer) begins with Lord Ganesha. Brothers are seated facing the northeast direction and the tilak is applied. They are then offered flowers, betel leaves, and areca nuts, and an ‘aarti’ (a devotional ritual) is performed.

The festival has roots in mythology. According to one legend, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra in Dwarka on this day after defeating the demon Narakasura. Subhadra welcomed him with lamps, flowers, sweets, and performed a tilak ceremony, praying for his long life.

Similar to Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj emphasizes the love and commitment between siblings. It’s believed that sisters who perform the tilak ceremony and puja during the auspicious time bring longevity and protection from untimely death to their brothers. The festival is known by different names across India, including Bhai Phota in West Bengal, Bhau Beej in Maharashtra, and Bhai Tihar in Nepal.

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