In 2025, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Thursday, 23rd October. The festival marks the special bond between brothers and sisters and is celebrated two days after Diwali. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and prosperity, while brothers give gifts and promise to protect their sisters. In 2025, Bhai Dooj is listed as a Restricted Holiday (RH) in the central government calendar. The celebration signifies love, protection, and the timeless family bond that follows the festive spirit of Diwali.
📜 Holiday Status
Bhai Dooj 2025 falls on Thursday, 23rd October, and is listed as a Restricted Holiday (RH) in the Government of India calendar. While it is not a Gazetted Holiday, it is widely celebrated across India, especially in North India. Some states, such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, may also observe it as a public holiday.
✨ Significance of Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhai Phonta or Bhau Beej, celebrates the eternal bond of love and trust between brothers and sisters. According to legend, Yama, the God of Death, visited his sister Yamuna on this day, and she welcomed him with a tilak, sweets, and prayers for his well-being. Pleased by her devotion, Yama declared that brothers who visit their sisters on this day would be blessed with long lives.
🎉 How People Celebrate
The day begins with sisters performing aarti and applying a sacred tilak on their brothers’ foreheads. Brothers, in return, offer gifts and sweets. Traditional dishes like puri, kheer, and laddoo are prepared. Families come together for festive meals and the exchange of blessings. The atmosphere remains joyous as it closely follows the Diwali celebrations.
🗓️ Leave Planning
Bhai Dooj 2025 falls on a Thursday, right after the long Diwali week. Those who plan to take a day off on Friday, 24th October, can enjoy an extended four-day weekend (Thursday to Sunday). Being a Restricted Holiday, employees must check their organisation’s RH policy before planning leave. Use our Smart leave planner to plan your holidays.
🏛️ Daily Life Impact
Here’s how Bhai Dooj, as a Restricted Holiday, affects daily life across India:
| Sector / Service | Status on 23rd October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Government Offices (Central) | Open (RH – optional leave) |
| Banks | Open nationwide (some local branches may close) |
| Schools & Colleges | Closed in select states (Public Holiday) |
| Stock Market (NSE/BSE) | Open |
| Post Offices | Open (normal working day) |
| Families & Homes | Celebrations, rituals, family gatherings |
🌙 Regional Observance
Bhai Dooj is celebrated across India under different names — Bhau Beej in Maharashtra and Goa, Bhai Phonta in West Bengal, and Yama Dwitiya in South India. Despite regional variations, the central theme of sibling love and protection remains the same. In Nepal, a similar festival called “Bhai Tika” is observed as part of the Tihar celebrations.
📖 Interesting Facts
- Bhai Dooj is the last major festival of the Diwali season.
- The festival is celebrated two days after Diwali, on Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Kartik month.
- It is believed that sisters applying tilak to their brothers avert evil and bring prosperity.
- In Bengal, sisters fast until they complete the ritual of Bhai Phonta.
💌 Bhai Dooj Wishes
- Happy Bhai Dooj 2025! May the bond of love between you and your brother/sister grow stronger every year.
- Wishing you laughter, happiness, and endless memories this Bhai Dooj!
- May the sacred bond of Bhai Dooj bring love, peace, and prosperity to your family.
❓ FAQs
Q. Is Bhai Dooj 2025 a Gazetted Holiday?
No, Bhai Dooj is a Restricted Holiday in 2025, but some states declare it a public holiday.
Q. When is Bhai Dooj 2025?
Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Thursday, 23rd October 2025.
Q. Is Bhai Dooj a bank holiday?
Generally, banks remain open. However, in some states where it’s declared a local public holiday, branches may remain closed.
Q. How is Bhai Dooj different from Raksha Bandhan?
Both celebrate the sibling bond, but Raksha Bandhan involves tying a rakhi, while Bhai Dooj centres on the tilak ceremony and prayers for long life and prosperity.