Holi Bhai Dooj 2026: Check the exact tithi, tilak muhurat, Bhadra timing, traditions and heartfelt wishes to celebrate the sacred sibling bond
Holi Bhai Dooj 2026: Check Date, Timings & Wishes to send your Dear sibling (Source: Gemini AI)
Holi Bhai Dooj 2026: Holi Bhai Dooj is being celebrated today, 5 March 2026. Just like Bhai Dooj comes after Diwali, people in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh especially observe Bhai Dooj after Holi as well. On this day, sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their happiness, prosperity, and long life. In return, brothers give gifts to their sisters as a symbol of love and protection.
This year, due to a change in Holi’s date because of a grahan (eclipse), there was some confusion about the schedule. However, Bhai Dooj is being celebrated today, on March 5. The festival falls on the Dwitiya (second day) of the Phalguna month. Since the Dwitiya tithi is present at sunrise today, the festival is observed on this date. It also marks the beginning of Basant Utsav (spring celebrations). Bhai Dooj is also known as Bhratri Dwitiya.
This time, like Holi, Bhai Dooj is also under the influence of Bhadra. Bhadra begins in the morning. However, astrologers have clarified that there is no negative impact of applying tilak during Bhadra because this Bhadra belongs to Patal Lok. Therefore, sisters can apply tilak after 1:00 PM without worry.
In some places, the most auspicious tilak muhurat is between 12:09 PM and 12:56 PM.
According to astrologers, sisters can apply tilak to their brothers at any time during the day. Acharya Pt. Rajesh Tiwari explained that Rangotsav will be celebrated on Wednesday. On March 5, Bhadra begins at 4:52 AM, but since it is considered to be of Patal Lok, it does not affect the Bhai Dooj rituals. Therefore, sisters are free to perform tilak at a convenient time.
Bhai Dooj symbolizes the unbreakable bond between brother and sister. The festival is celebrated twice every year — once after Holi and once two days after Diwali.
According to Drik Panchang, the Dwitiya Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Chaitra month begins at 4:48 PM on March 4 and ends at 5:03 PM on March 5. Based on the Udaya Tithi (sunrise rule), Holi Bhai Dooj is celebrated on March 5.
Today, sisters can apply tilak between 1:17 PM and 3:31 PM as well.
