Bhaubij Bhai Dooj Yam Dwitiya is the most tender festival of sibling love in the Hindu calendar, observed on the second day of Kartik Shukla Paksha. On this day sisters lovingly apply a protective tilak on their brothers' foreheads and pray for a long, prosperous life — a tradition rooted in the legend of Yamraj visiting his sister Yamuna. A brass idol catalog from Deshna Wholesale gives every family the perfect Yamuna or Dhanvantari brass murti to anchor this sacred ritual in their puja room.
The festival is also called Bhai Phota in Bengal, Bhai Tika in Nepal and Bhaubij in Maharashtra. Across regions the core gesture remains the same: sister receives aarti, applies kumkum-rice tilak, feeds sweets, performs an aarti of the brother with a lit brass diya, and the brother blesses her with gifts and lifelong protection. For a complete guide to setting up the puja thali, see our more guides on festival samagri.
The Story of Yamraj and Yamuna Behind Bhaubij
According to the Skanda Purana, Yamraj, the god of death, grew weary of his lonely role and missed his sister Yamuna. On Kartik Shukla Dwitiya he visited her unannounced. Yamuna was overjoyed, prepared a special meal, applied tilak on his forehead with kumkum and akshat, performed aarti with a deepak, and offered him sweets. Pleased, Yamraj declared that any brother who receives tilak from his sister on this day will be blessed with long life, health, and freedom from untimely death. He also granted that those who bathe in the Yamuna on Yam Dwitiya receive moksha.
This is why Bhaubij Bhai Dooj is also observed as Yam Dwitiya — a day when Yamraj himself receives the sister's prayer. Many households place a small brass Yamuna murti on a chowki near the entrance or in the kitchen, light a brass diya, and offer the ritual tilak in front of her. In some traditions, a small brass Dhanvantari murti is also placed, as Dhanvantari is considered the divine physician who protects family health — exactly what the sister prays for.
Bhaubij 2026 Date, Time and Shubh Muhurat
- Date: Monday, 9 November 2026 (Kartik Shukla Dwitiya)
- Tilak Muhurat Morning: Approx. 09:18 to 11:46 IST
- Aarti Muhurat: Late afternoon, after brother's meal
- Abhijit Muhurat: Around midday for additional auspiciousness
- Choghadiya: Avoid Amrit, Shubh, Labh, Amrit Choghadiya for tilak
Sisters should ideally apply tilak during the morning shubh window so the brother's day begins under divine protection. If the brother lives in another city, the ritual can be performed virtually with a photo of the sibling and a brass idol of Yamuna in front, accompanied by the family.
Complete Tilak Vidhi Step by Step
Prepare a puja thali with kumkum, chandan, akshat (rice grains), supari, mithai, a small brass diya with ghee, a coin, flowers and a roli. The thali itself can be a traditional brass puja thali from Khatauli.
- Bat the brother to bathe and wear fresh clothes; sisters wear new saree or suit.
- Place the brass Yamuna murti on a chowki covered with a yellow or red cloth, facing east or north.
- Light the brass diya and incense sticks in front of the idol.
- Recite the Yamuna mantra: "Om Yamunayai Namah" 11 times.
- Perform aarti of the brother with the lit diya — moving it in a circular pattern clockwise around his face five times.
- Apply chandan tilak on the forehead, then kumkum, and place a few akshat on top.
- Offer a supari, a coin (for sukh), and a sweet like peda, laddu or kaju katli.
- Brother feeds the sister a small morsel of sweet and gives shagun (cash or gift), then aarti, and embraces her.
Mantras to Recite During Tilak
Om Yamunaya Namah, Om Yamarajaya Namah, Bhavanyai Namah. In Bengal, sisters sing the Bhai Phota song that lists seven brothers or invokes Yamuna's blessings. In Maharashtra, the sister performs the aarti with five betel leaves and a coconut while singing the Bhaubij ghana.
Regional Names and Variations
In Maharashtra, the festival is called Bhaubij and includes a special Bhaubij Thali. The brother visits his sister's home for a meal, and she performs the ritual. In Bengal, it is Bhai Phota, celebrated after Kali Puja or Diwali. The thali includes sindoor, durba grass and sweets, and the brother's forehead tilak has three distinct lines. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the festival is more about sisters and brothers exchanging tilak and gifts in the afternoon. In Nepal, Bhai Tika is one of the most important festivals, celebrated for three days, with elaborate jamara (barley shoots) and seven-color tika.
Across all regions, the brass Yamuna murti or a generic Devi murti serves as the witness. Deshna Wholesale offers cast brass Yamuna murtis in 4, 6, 8 and 12 inch sizes, hand-finished by artisans in Khatauli.
Why a Brass Yamuna Idol for Bhaubij
Brass is a sattvic metal, considered auspicious for Hindu rituals, especially those involving water, food and family bonds. Unlike photos or paper prints, a three-dimensional brass murti of Yamuna holds a stronger sankalpa during tilak. The murti can be reused year after year, passed down generations, and cleaned with traditional tamarind-lemon pastes. A 4-inch brass Yamuna idol weighing about 500 grams is ideal for the puja thali setup. A 9-inch murti on a chowki is suitable for permanent placement in the puja room. For Bhaubij wholesale orders — temples, samaj mandals and gift hampers — contact our team.
Browse the full brass idol catalog for Yamuna, Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and other deity murtis that suit Bhaubij. We also offer custom engraving of the brother's name on a brass plate that can be presented as a Bhaubij gift.
Brass Idol Wholesale for Bhaubij Hampers
B2B customers — sweet shops, gift stores, religious samagri retailers — often pre-order brass Yamuna or brass Dhanvantari murtis in bulk for Bhaubij gift hampers. Deshna Wholesale ships from Khatauli to pan-India and to select export destinations. MOQ is 12 pieces for SKUs above 6 inches. Hamper packaging in red and gold boxes, plus individual poly-foam wraps, is provided. Customization for engravement of family initials on the brass base is available for orders above 100 pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Bhaubij 2026?
A: Monday, 9 November 2026, on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. The morning muhurat around 09:18 to 11:46 IST is most auspicious for tilak.
Q: Why is Yamuna worshipped on Bhai Dooj?
A: Yamraj visited his sister Yamuna on this day, and she applied tilak, granting him a long life. Since then, sisters invoke Yamuna's blessings to protect brothers from untimely death.
Q: Can I use a photo of Yamuna instead of a brass idol?
A: Yes, but a brass Yamuna murti is considered stronger in sankalpa and is reusable. Photo is acceptable for distant siblings who cannot meet.
Q: What if my brother lives abroad and cannot come for Bhaubij?
A: Perform the ritual over a video call, with a brass Yamuna murti at your side and a photo of the brother. Ship a brass diya and tilak thali as a Bhaubij shagun.
Q: Is a brass Dhanvantari murti also suitable for Bhaubij?
A: Yes. Dhanvantari is the divine healer. Many families place a small brass Dhanvantari next to Yamuna for double blessings of health and longevity.
Conclusion: Bhaubij Bhai Dooj Yam Dwitiya is a festival of unconditional sibling love, anchored by tilak, aarti and the Yamuna legend. With a brass Yamuna or Dhanvantari murti from Deshna Wholesale, your Bhaubij puja gains a sacred, three-dimensional focus. Pair the idol with a brass diya and puja thali for a complete setup. Contact us for wholesale pricing on Bhaubij gift hampers and temple-grade murtis.