Thursday, October 16, 2025

Bhai Phot 2025: Date, Rituals, Significance, and Celebration Guide

Bhai Phot 2025 will be celebrated on Thursday, 23 October 2025. Know its rituals, muhurat, cultural meaning, and how it is observed across India, especially in West Bengal.

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In 2025, Bhai Phot (Bhai Phonta) falls on Thursday, 23rd October 2025.
The auspicious day is observed on the Dwitiya Tithi (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month, two days after Diwali.

  • Tithi Begins: 22 October 2025, late at night (around 11:18 PM)
  • Tithi Ends: 23 October 2025, around 9:30 PM
  • Phonta Muhurat (Tilak Time): Midday to early afternoon (approximately 11:30 AM to 1:05 PM, depending on location)

The timing may slightly vary depending on your city’s local Panchang, but most families perform the phonta ritual during the late morning or early afternoon hours.

What is Bhai Phot?

Bhai Phot, also known as Bhai Phonta in Bengal and Bhai Dooj, Bhai Tika, or Bhau Beej in other regions of India, is a festival that celebrates the sacred bond between brothers and sisters.

It marks the second day after Kali Puja or Diwali, and symbolizes a sister’s love and prayers for her brother’s long life, prosperity, and protection. In return, brothers vow to protect their sisters and often present gifts as a token of love and gratitude.

Mythological Origins of Bhai Phot

The origins of Bhai Phot are rooted in Hindu mythology:

  • The Yamraj-Yamuna Legend: It is said that Lord Yamraj, the god of death, once visited his sister Yamuna. She welcomed him warmly, performed an aarti, and applied a sacred tilak (phonta) on his forehead. Touched by her affection, Yamraj blessed her and declared that any brother who receives a tilak from his sister on this day would be blessed with a long and prosperous life.
  • The Krishna-Subhadra Story: Another popular legend says that Lord Krishna, after slaying the demon Narakasura, visited his sister Subhadra. She welcomed him with sweets, flowers, and a tilak on his forehead — a gesture that later evolved into the Bhai Dooj or Bhai Phonta tradition.

These stories highlight the festival’s message — a celebration of the eternal bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters.

Significance of Bhai Phot

  • Celebrating Sibling Love: Bhai Phot is a heartfelt occasion where sisters pray for their brothers’ health, happiness, and longevity.
  • Cultural Tradition: It reflects the essence of Indian family values and traditions that emphasize emotional and spiritual bonds.
  • Symbol of Protection: The tilak applied on the brother’s forehead symbolizes divine blessings and protection from evil.
  • Completion of Diwali Festivities: Bhai Phot often marks the concluding day of the Diwali festival series, bringing families together for one last celebration before returning to routine life.

Bhai Phot Rituals and Celebrations

The celebration of Bhai Phot varies slightly across regions, but the spirit remains the same — love, blessings, and family bonding.

Traditional Rituals Followed in Bengali Homes:

  1. Preparations:
    Sisters clean their homes, decorate the puja space, and prepare a phonta thali containing a diya (lamp), sandalwood paste, turmeric, rice grains, flowers, sweets, and fruits.
  2. Brother’s Arrival:
    The brother visits his sister’s home or vice versa, symbolizing the warmth and togetherness of the family.
  3. Phonta Ceremony:
    Sisters apply the phonta (tilak) on their brothers’ foreheads using a mixture of sandalwood, turmeric, and ghee. Some families use rice paste for the tilak. Sisters also perform aarti and chant mantras for the brother’s long life and well-being.
  4. Prayers and Blessings:
    Sisters offer prayers to deities like Yamraj or Lord Vishnu, seeking divine protection for their brothers.
  5. Exchange of Gifts:
    Brothers give gifts, money, or sweets to their sisters as a gesture of love and appreciation.
  6. Feasting Together:
    Families enjoy a traditional lunch with delicacies such as pulao, kachori, sweets, and pitha. The feast signifies happiness and prosperity.

In many Bengali households, sisters keep a brief fast until the phonta ritual is completed.

Regional Variations Across India

  • In West Bengal, it is known as Bhai Phonta or Bhai Phota, celebrated with traditional songs, rituals, and regional sweets.
  • In Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, it’s called Bhai Dooj, with sisters applying roli and rice tilak on their brothers’ foreheads.
  • In Maharashtra, the festival is known as Bhau Beej, and it involves similar rituals with local customs.
  • In Nepal, it is celebrated as Bhai Tika, where sisters apply a seven-colored tilak on their brothers’ foreheads.

Despite the differences, the emotional essence of the festival remains universal — celebrating the sacred sibling bond.

Bhai Phot 2025: Auspicious Muhurat

  • Tithi: Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha, Kartik month
  • Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025
  • Tilak (Phonta) Muhurat: Midday to early afternoon (approximately 11:30 AM – 1:05 PM)
  • Duration of Tithi: From late night of 22 October till evening of 23 October

Families usually perform the ritual during the afternoon hours after the main puja preparations.

Food and Festive Delights

The festival is also known for its delicious spread. Popular dishes prepared on this day include:

  • Luchi (puri) and Aloo Dum
  • Cholar Dal (Bengal gram dal)
  • Sandesh, Rasgulla, and Pitha
  • Payesh (rice pudding)

Sweets play an important role as symbols of joy and auspicious beginnings.

Modern-Day Celebrations

In today’s world, even if brothers and sisters live in different cities or countries, Bhai Phot is celebrated virtually. Video calls, digital e-gifts, and couriered sweets keep the bond alive.

The younger generation also shares pictures of their rituals on social media, celebrating tradition with a modern twist.

Bhai Phot 2025 will be celebrated on 23 October, marking a beautiful day dedicated to the enduring bond between brothers and sisters. From ancient legends to modern expressions, the festival continues to symbolize love, protection, and blessings.

As families gather, apply tilak, exchange gifts, and share meals, Bhai Phot reminds us that amidst changing times, some bonds remain timeless — pure, emotional, and divine.

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