WishesBhai Dooj wishes
Bhai Dooj comes two days after Diwali and closes the festival. Sisters put a tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life, brothers give a gift, and the family eats together. It is a quieter cousin of Raksha Bandhan, and these wishes are for both sides.
From a sister
The tilak is on your forehead and a prayer is behind it. Live long, eat well and call more often. Happy Bhai Dooj.
I cooked everything you like. Come hungry and leave your phone in the car. Happy Bhai Dooj.
You were my first friend and my first enemy. I would not trade either. Happy Bhai Dooj, bhaiya.
May every road you take bring you back safe. Happy Bhai Dooj.
To my little brother, who is now taller than me and still asks me what to wear: Happy Bhai Dooj.
The tilak is ready, and so is the plate. I am calling you at ten sharp. Do not be late even on video.
From a brother
I am coming for lunch, and yes, I want the kheer. Happy Bhai Dooj, didi.
You have prayed for me every year since I was born. I hope I am turning out worth it. Happy Bhai Dooj.
Whatever I became, you had a hand in it, often pulling my ear. Thank you. Happy Bhai Dooj.
I may be far away, but your tilak reaches me. Happy Bhai Dooj, and save me the sweets.
To my sister: wherever you live is home to me as well. Happy Bhai Dooj.
For cousins and far away siblings
Different cities, same Diwali memories. Happy Bhai Dooj to my favourite cousin.
We will do the tilak on video and the sweets by courier. Happy Bhai Dooj from too far away.
Not brother and sister by birth, but by every other measure. Happy Bhai Dooj.
हिन्दी में
भाई दूज की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। भैया, तुम सदा स्वस्थ और ख़ुश रहो।
माथे पर तिलक, मन में दुआ। मेरे भाई की उम्र लंबी हो।
तुम्हारी पसंद का सारा खाना बनाया है। भूखे आना, फ़ोन गाड़ी में छोड़ आना।
दीदी, खीर ज़रूर बनाना, मैं दोपहर तक पहुँच रहा हूँ। भाई दूज मुबारक।
दूर हूँ, पर तुम्हारा तिलक मुझ तक पहुँच जाता है। भाई दूज की बधाई, बहना।
बचपन की लड़ाइयाँ याद आती हैं तो हँसी आती है। ख़ुश रहो भाई।
भाऊ बीज की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ।
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ
ਭਾਈ ਦੂਜ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ। ਵੀਰਾ, ਤੇਰੀ ਉਮਰ ਲੰਮੀ ਹੋਵੇ।
ਟਿੱਕਾ ਲਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਉਡੀਕ ਰਹੀ ਹਾਂ, ਵੀਰੇ। ਛੇਤੀ ਆ ਜਾ, ਰੋਟੀ ਤਿਆਰ ਹੈ।
ਭੈਣੇ, ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਅਸੀਸਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਕੁਝ ਹੈ। ਟਿੱਕੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ।
ਦੂਰ ਬੈਠਾ ਹਾਂ, ਪਰ ਤੇਰਾ ਟਿੱਕਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਮੱਥੇ ਤੇ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ ਰਹਿ, ਭੈਣੇ।
Nothing matches. Try a shorter word, or choose All.
One festival, many names
- Bhai Dooj or Bhaiya Dooj across north India.
- Bhau Beej in Maharashtra and Goa.
- Bhai Phonta in Bengal.
- Bhai Tika in Nepal and among Nepali families.
- Tikka in Punjab.
The form is much the same everywhere: a tilak, an aarti, sweets and a meal cooked by the sister, often of the brother's favourite dishes. Use the name your family uses.
How it differs from Rakhi
On Raksha Bandhan the sister ties a thread and the brother promises protection. On Bhai Dooj the sister applies a tilak and prays for his long life, and traditionally the brother visits the sister's home, which matters most after she is married. So the wish from a sister is a blessing, and the wish from a brother is thanks and a visit promised.
Make it yours
- The dish she always cooks for you, or he always asks for.
- One childhood memory of Diwali week: the crackers shared unfairly, the gift money pooled.
- If you are apart: the time of the video call, and "the tilak is waiting".
- For cousins and for friends who are like brothers and sisters, the same wishes hold.
When you are far away
Many siblings now live in different cities and countries. A sister can send the tilak and sweets ahead by post, or do the tilak on a photograph while on a video call. What matters is that the day is marked. If a brother or sister has died, the day can be heavy for the one left: a message to them that says "thinking of you today" is a kindness.
Make it yours
- Brothers: the best gift on Bhai Dooj is an afternoon at your sister's table with your phone put away.
Questions
When is Bhai Dooj?
Two days after Diwali, on the second day of the bright half of the month of Kartik. The date changes every year with Diwali.
Is Bhai Dooj the same as Raksha Bandhan?
No. Both celebrate brothers and sisters, but Raksha Bandhan is in the monsoon month of Shravan and centres on the rakhi thread, while Bhai Dooj follows Diwali and centres on the tilak.