Bhai Dooj / Yama Dwitiya 2026

Yama Dwitiya: A Festival of Brothers and Sisters

Yama Dwitiya, widely known as Bhai Dooj, falls on Kartika Shukla Vidiya, two days after Deepavali. On this day brothers visit their sisters and eat a meal cooked by them, which is why the Telugu tradition calls it Bhagini Hasta Bhojanam, "food from a sister's hand". In Maharashtra it is known as Bhau Beej.

The Story of Yama and Yamuna

Yama Dharmaraja and the river goddess Yamuna were the children of Surya. Yamuna kept inviting her brother home for a meal, but Yama was always busy with his duties. Finally, on Kartika Shukla Vidiya, he visited her. Overjoyed, Yamuna applied tilakam on his forehead, offered harathi and served him a lovingly cooked meal. When Yama asked her to choose a boon, she prayed that any brother who eats at his sister's home on this day each year should be free from the fear of untimely death. Yama granted it, and the tithi came to be called Yama Dwitiya.

How It Is Celebrated

• Brothers bathe, wear new clothes and go to their sister's house; traditionally they do not eat at their own home that day.
• The sister applies kumkuma tilakam, sprinkles akshatalu and performs harathi for her brother.
• She serves a festive meal with favourites like pulihora, payasam, bobbatlu and garelu.
• The brother gives her gifts, a saree or money, and seeks her blessings.
• Some families light a lamp remembering Yama, Yamuna and Chitragupta.

In Telugu Homes

The name Bhai Dooj has become popular in the Telugu states only in recent years, but the custom of Bhagini Hasta Bhojanam on Kartika Shukla Vidiya is old. Brothers who live far away call their sisters, and those nearby make sure to visit.

Significance

The festival celebrates the love and responsibility between brothers and sisters. A sister's blessings are believed to protect her brother, and the meal from her hands on this day is said to bring him long life.

May the bond between brothers and sisters in every home stay sweet forever.