Dooj

Dooj, also known as Bhai Dooj, is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily in India and Nepal that honors the bond between brothers and sisters. It is observed on the Dwitiya tithi (the second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, typically a few days after Diwali. In many regions the day is also called Yama Dwitiya, after the mythic figure Yama, the god of death, and Yamuna, his sister, who is said to have invited Yama to her home; on this day sisters pray for their brothers' long life and well-being.

Rituals center on sisterly blessing: sisters perform a tilak on their brothers' foreheads, perform an aarti, and exchange gifts and sweets. The brother, in return, gives a vow to protect and support his sister. The tilak often uses vermilion, sandalwood paste, and rice grains, accompanied by a ceremonial lamp or diya.

Across regions there are variations in practice and terminology. In North India and Nepal, Dooj is a prominent celebration within the longer Diwali season; in some communities the day is called Bhau Dooj, Bhaubeej, or simply Dooj. While the date shifts with the lunar calendar, the underlying idea remains to strengthen family ties and express affection between siblings.