Diwali 2026
Bhai Dooj muhurat 2026
The afternoon when a sister applies tilak to her brother and prays for his long life. It closes the Diwali days.
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
1:47 PM – 3:43 PM
Aparahna (afternoon)
All windows
- 1:47 PM – 3:43 PM Aparahna (afternoon) Best
Checked and cleared
- Rahu Kaal12:23 PM – 1:47 PM, removed from the windows
- Yamaganda8:14 AM – 9:37 AM, does not touch any window
- Gulika Kaal11:00 AM – 12:23 PM, does not touch any window
- BhadraNot present on this day
Shukla Dwitiya runs from 10 Nov, 1:59 PM to 11 Nov, 3:53 PM. Shukla Dwitiya touches Aparahna on two days at this location; the later day is taken.
Bhai Dooj muhurat 2026 by city
| City | Date | Best muhurat (local time) |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | Wed, 11 Nov | 1:47 PM – 3:43 PM |
| Mumbai | Wed, 11 Nov | 1:47 PM – 3:46 PM |
| Delhi | Wed, 11 Nov | 1:26 PM – 3:20 PM |
| Bengaluru | Wed, 11 Nov | 1:30 PM – 3:32 PM |
| Kolkata | Wed, 11 Nov | 12:44 PM – 2:41 PM |
| Chennai | Wed, 11 Nov | 1:19 PM – 3:21 PM |
| Hyderabad | Wed, 11 Nov | 1:25 PM – 3:25 PM |
| Pune | Wed, 11 Nov | 1:43 PM – 3:42 PM |
| Surat | Wed, 11 Nov | 1:46 PM – 3:44 PM |
| Jaipur | Wed, 11 Nov | 1:32 PM – 3:27 PM |
| Dubai | Wed, 11 Nov | 1:25 PM – 2:23 PM |
| London | Tue, 10 Nov | 12:53 PM – 2:01 PM |
| New York | Tue, 10 Nov | 12:55 PM – 2:11 PM |
| Toronto | Tue, 10 Nov | 1:15 PM – 2:29 PM |
| Singapore | Wed, 11 Nov | 2:19 PM – 4:26 PM |
| Sydney | Wed, 11 Nov | 2:22 PM – 4:47 PM |
Why Bhai Dooj is kept in the afternoon
Bhai Dooj is Yama Dwitiya, the second tithi of the bright fortnight of Kartik. The story is that Yama visited his sister Yamuna on this day, she welcomed him with a tilak and a meal, and he granted that any brother so received would be protected. The day is observed when Dwitiya is present during Aparahna, the afternoon part of the day, and that is when the tilak is applied.
One festival, many names
It is Bhau Beej in Maharashtra and Goa, Bhai Phonta in Bengal and Bhai Tika in Nepal. The names and the sweets change, the afternoon tilak does not.
How the puja is done
- Seat the brother facing east or north.
- Apply the tilak of kumkum and rice within the muhurat.
- Perform aarti and offer sweets.
- Share a meal together; the brother gives a gift in return.
Questions people ask
When is Bhai Dooj in 2026?
Bhai Dooj in 2026 is on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 in Ahmedabad. The tilak muhurat is 1:47 PM to 3:43 PM.
What is the tilak time for Bhai Dooj 2026?
In Ahmedabad the tilak muhurat is 1:47 PM to 3:43 PM. It is the afternoon Aparahna period with any Rahu Kaal overlap removed.
Why is Bhai Dooj on a different date in the USA or UK?
Dwitiya must be present in the local afternoon. In 2026 it covers the afternoon one calendar day earlier in the Americas and Europe than in India, so the festival is a day earlier there.
What if my brother lives far away?
The tilak can be applied to a photograph or sent with a prayer at the muhurat time in your own city.
Family and regional customs can differ, so confirm with your family priest where in doubt.