Bhratri Dwitiya 2026: Date, Muhurat, Significance and Sacred Legends

The festival of Bhratri Dwitiya 2026 dedicated to the sacred bond of brothers and sisters is much more than a family ritual. It gently carries the energies of protection, trust and heartfelt blessings. Among the many observances that nurture relationships through the year, Bhratri Dwitiya belongs to those special days when a sister’s affection and a brother’s responsibility are both brought to awareness.

According to the Gregorian calendar Bhratri Dwitiya 2026 will be observed on Wednesday, 5 March 2026. As per the Hindu Panchang this day corresponds to Krishna Paksha Dwitiya of the Chaitra month. Dwitiya Tithi will begin at 04:48 PM on 4 March 2026 and will end at 05:03 PM on 5 March 2026. Within this span falls the observance of Holi Bhai Dooj or Bhratri Dwitiya, the important sibling festival that follows directly after Holi.

Bhratri Dwitiya 2026: date, timings and Panchang details

The foundation of Bhratri Dwitiya rests entirely on the presence of Dwitiya Tithi. It is the Dwitiya that appears after the Holi celebrations.

Bhratri Dwitiya 2026: date and muhurat summary

Detail	Information
Festival	Bhratri Dwitiya 2026
Other common names	Bhai Dooj, Holi Bhai Dooj
Day and date	Wednesday, 5 March 2026
Panchang date	Chaitra Krishna Dwitiya
Dwitiya Tithi begins	4 March 2026, 04:48 PM
Dwitiya Tithi ends	5 March 2026, 05:03 PM
Basis for deciding the festival date	Dwitiya Tithi prevailing on 5 March

Because Dwitiya Tithi remains present through most of the daylight on 5 March, the rituals of Bhai Dooj Puja, Tilak and Aarti are considered auspicious on this day.

What is Bhratri Dwitiya and what does the name mean

Literal meaning of Bhratri Dwitiya

The name of this festival arises from two words.

• Bhratri means brother.
• Dwitiya indicates the second lunar day of a fortnight.

Thus Bhratri Dwitiya is the day on which, under the influence of Dwitiya Tithi, a sister offers special worship and Tilak for the protection, wellbeing and prosperity of her brother. This day usually falls on the Dwitiya that appears after Holi, which is why it is also known as Holi Bhai Dooj.

In the Hindu calendar for the year 2026 Bhratri Dwitiya will be observed on 5 March 2026, corresponding to Chaitra Krishna Dwitiya and also referred to as second Chaitra 2079 in some Panchang systems.

Bhratri Dwitiya 2026 as Bhai Dooj after Holi

The term Bhai Dooj is generally recognised in two contexts.

• One is Bhratri Dwitiya after Holi, also known as Holi Bhai Dooj.
• The other is the Bhai Dooj observed two days after Deepavali, which is more widely known in many regions.

Here the focus is on the Bhratri Dwitiya that follows Holi. Holi itself is linked with Phalguna Purnima and the Dwitiya that follows in the next fortnight becomes the day when the bond of brother and sister is honoured as Bhratri Dwitiya.

Spiritual significance of Bhratri Dwitiya

Yama and Yamuna: the sacred visit and its meaning

The deeper significance of Bhratri Dwitiya is often explained through the story of Yamraj and his sister Yamuna. It is said that
once Yamraj, the Lord of Death and Justice, visited the home of his sister Yamuna on this very Dwitiya Tithi. Yamuna welcomed him with great joy, bathed him, cooked lovingly prepared food, applied Tilak to his forehead and performed Aarti.

Pleased by her devotion and affection, Yamraj granted a boon that
any brother who visits his sister on this day, receives Tilak and Aarti from her and eats food in her home, will enjoy long life, freedom from fear and fulfilment of righteous wishes.

For this reason Bhratri Dwitiya is also known as Yama Dwitiya and the observance is associated with longevity, protection and relief from difficulties in life.

Inner meaning of Tilak and Aarti

In the Hindu tradition Tilak is not a mere decorative mark. It symbolises blessing, protection and auspicious intent. On Bhratri Dwitiya a sister applies Tilak on her brother’s forehead with the feeling that

• obstacles, illness and fear may move away from his path,
• his intelligence may remain lit with clarity and restraint,
• he may live with dharma, respect and responsibility within family and society.

Aarti too is more than moving a lamp before the face. It represents a circle of light drawn around the brother so that darkness and negativity may gradually retreat from his life.

How to celebrate Bhratri Dwitiya 2026

Puja method for Bhratri Dwitiya 2026

The external form of Bhratri Dwitiya is simple, yet the inner feeling is deep. When done with sincerity, even a modest observance can become memorable and powerful.

Stepwise Puja sequence for Bhratri Dwitiya 2026

Step	What to do
First step	Brother visits his sister’s home or sister comes to meet him
Second step	Sister prepares an Aarti plate with Puja items
Third step	Sister lights a lamp in the plate and offers Aarti
Fourth step	She applies Kumkum and Akshata as Tilak on the forehead
Fifth step	She offers sweets, fruits and coconut to the brother
Sixth step	Brother presents gifts or tokens of affection to the sister

What to place in the Puja plate

On Bhratri Dwitiya 2026 the sister may arrange her Puja plate with items such as

• coconut,
• batasha or sweets,
• fruits,
• paan,
• roli and kumkum,
• rice or akshata,
• a small lamp.

First the lamp is lit and Aarti is performed. After that Tilak is applied to the brother’s forehead and then sweets, fruits and coconut are offered as Prasad.

Exchange of gifts and gratitude

Traditionally on Bhratri Dwitiya

• the sister offers Aarti, Tilak and food to her brother,
• and in return the brother expresses his love and gratitude by offering gifts, clothes ornaments or other thoughtful tokens.

This exchange symbolises more than material giving. It reflects mutual respect, responsibility and commitment within the bond.

Legends of Bhratri Dwitiya: Yama Dwitiya, Krishna and Jain tradition

Several stories associated with Bhratri Dwitiya highlight different facets of the bond between brother and sister.

Legend one: Yama and Yamuna on Yama Dwitiya

According to a popular account
Yamraj resolves to visit his sister Yamuna at least once in the year. When he arrived on Dwitiya Tithi, Yamuna received him with devotion, bathed him, prepared a special meal, applied Tilak and performed Aarti.

Delighted, Yamraj declared that
any brother who honours this day by visiting his sister, accepting Tilak and Aarti and eating in her home shall enjoy health, long life and prosperity. Over time this day came to be known as Yama Dwitiya, emphasising the protective grace linked with the observance.

Legend two: Krishna and Subhadra

Another story connects Bhratri Dwitiya with Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra. After slaying the cruel demon Narakasura, Krishna went to meet Subhadra. That day too was observed as Dwitiya.

Subhadra welcomed him with full devotion, applied Tilak to his forehead and performed Aarti as a sign of sisterly protection and gratitude. This story reinforces the meaning of Bhratri Dwitiya as a day when the sister’s love becomes a shield around the brother.

Legend three: Lord Mahavira and the Jain perspective

A third account comes from the Jain tradition.
It is said that when Lord Mahavira attained liberation, his brother King Nandivardhana was deeply saddened and felt an intense sense of loss. At that time their sister Sudarshana comforted him, supported him emotionally and helped him regain balance.

Because of this, on Bhratri Dwitiya the compassion, strength and supportive role of sisters are especially honoured within Jain communities as well. Thus Bhratri Dwitiya becomes an important festival not only in Hindu practice but also in the Jain spiritual calendar.

Inner guidance from Bhratri Dwitiya 2026

Bhratri Dwitiya 2026 offers guidance not only in terms of date and rituals but also for the inner quality of relationships.

• For brothers, the day is a reminder that a sister’s prayers, trust and goodwill form an unseen shield of protection, which deserves gratitude and respect.
• For sisters, it becomes an opportunity to move beyond formal Tilak and Aarti and to share blessings, concerns and affection in a calm and sincere way.
• For families, the day can turn into a quiet moment after the liveliness of Holi, inviting conversation, appreciation and renewed understanding among loved ones.

When observed with this awareness, Bhratri Dwitiya 2026 can remain in memory as a day that strengthens the foundations of affection, safety and trust within the family.

Common questions

When is Bhratri Dwitiya in 2026 and what are the Dwitiya timings
Bhratri Dwitiya 2026 will be observed on Wednesday, 5 March 2026. Dwitiya Tithi will begin at 04:48 PM on 4 March 2026 and end at 05:03 PM on 5 March 2026 and the festival will be celebrated during this Dwitiya.

Why is Bhratri Dwitiya also called Bhai Dooj and Yama Dwitiya
The day is known as Bhai Dooj or Bhratri Dwitiya because it honours the relationship between brother and sister. It is called Yama Dwitiya due to the story of Yamraj visiting his sister Yamuna and blessing brothers who receive Tilak and Aarti from their sisters on this day.

How should Bhratri Dwitiya 2026 be celebrated in practice
On this day it is auspicious for the brother to visit his sister. The sister prepares a Puja plate with coconut, batasha, fruits, paan, roli, kumkum, rice and a lamp, lights the lamp, performs Aarti, applies Kumkum and Akshata as Tilak and then offers sweets and fruits. The brother in turn offers gifts and expresses his affection and gratitude.

Which main legends are associated with Bhratri Dwitiya
Key legends include the story of Yamraj and Yamuna, the visit of Lord Krishna to his sister Subhadra on Dwitiya and the account of Lord Mahavira’s brother Nandivardhana and their sister Sudarshana. All these narratives highlight the protective and nurturing role of sisters.

What personal lesson can be drawn from Bhratri Dwitiya 2026
The festival teaches that gratitude, open communication and mutual care are vital for strong relationships. If brothers, sisters and families use the day to sit together, acknowledge each other’s presence and share blessings, Bhratri Dwitiya can plant a lasting and gentle strength in the heart of their bonds.