From Yamuna to today: The evolution of Bhai Dooj through centuries

As the flicker of Diwali diyas softens into a golden glow, India celebrates the tender finale of the festival of lights — Bhai Dooj, a day devoted to the bond between brothers and sisters.

- TDG NETWORK

But while the rituals of aarti, tilak, and sweets remain timeless, the festival’s essence has travelled through centuries of change — from mythological legends to modern expressions of sibling love.

Let's take a journey from the sacred banks of the Yamuna to the living rooms of urban India, tracing how Bhai Dooj has evolved with time while holding on to its heart.

The story of Bhai Dooj begins with an ancient Hindu legend. According to mythology, Lord Yama, the god of death, once visited his sister Yamuna after a long separation. Yamuna welcomed her brother with love — applying a tilak on his forehead, performing an aarti, and serving him delicious food. Moved by her affection, Yama declared that any brother who visits his sister on this day would be blessed with a long and prosperous life.

Thus, the festival came to be known as Yamadwitiya— falling on thesecond lunar day (Dwitiya) of Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month, symbolizing love, protection, and the eternal bond between siblings.

Over time, Bhai Dooj spread across regions, adopting new names and customs while keeping the sentiment unchanged.

In North India, it’s called Bhai Dooj or Bhaiya Dooj.