Bhai Dooj 2003
The bond of siblings on Kartika Shukla Dvitiya — Yama Dvitiya.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)06:02
- Sunset17:21
- Fasting window (tithi)2003-10-26 · 14:55 → 11:21
- Parana (tithi ends)11:21
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Bhai Dooj puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaBhai Dooj — Frequently Asked Questions
When is Bhai Dooj celebrated?
On the Dvitiya of the Shukla Paksha of Kartika, in autumn — the second day of the bright fortnight, two days after Diwali. For this year's date, see the date shown above.
Why is Bhai Dooj also called Yama Dvitiya?
Because its katha is of Yama, the lord of death, visiting his sister Yamuna on this day. She won from him the boon that a brother who receives his sister's tilak and eats at her home on this day be freed from untimely death.
How is Bhai Dooj different from Raksha Bandhan?
Both honour the brother-sister bond, but Raksha Bandhan (in Shravana) turns on the sister tying a rakhi, while Bhai Dooj (after Diwali) turns on the sister's home and hospitality — the brother visits her, receives a tilak, and eats a meal she has prepared.
What does the sister do on Bhai Dooj?
She applies a tilak of roli and akshat on her brother's forehead, performs the aarti, offers him sweets and a meal, and prays for his long life and wellbeing. The brother gives her a gift and pledges his protection.
Other major festivals in 2003
- Makar Sankranti — 14 January 2003
- Vasant Panchami — 6 February 2003
- Maha Shivaratri — 1 March 2003
- Holika Dahan — 17 March 2003
- Holi — 19 March 2003
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 2 April 2003
- Ram Navami — 11 April 2003
- Akshaya Tritiya — 4 May 2003
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 1 July 2003
- Guru Purnima — 13 July 2003
- Nag Panchami — 3 August 2003
- Raksha Bandhan — 12 August 2003
- Krishna Janmashtami — 19 August 2003
- Hartalika Teej — 30 August 2003
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 31 August 2003
- Anant Chaturdashi — 9 September 2003
- Pitru Paksha begins — 11 September 2003
- Sharad Navratri begins — 27 September 2003
- Durga Ashtami — 3 October 2003
- Maha Navami — 4 October 2003
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 4 October 2003
- Karwa Chauth — 14 October 2003
- Dhanteras — 23 October 2003
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 24 October 2003
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 25 October 2003
- Govardhan Puja — 26 October 2003
- Chhath Puja — 30 October 2003
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 8 November 2003
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 8 November 2003
- Hindu Festivals 2003 →