Today (November 6) is Bhai Dooj and this will mark an end to the five-day-long Diwali festivities. 

Observed on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar or of Shalivahan Shaka calendar month of Kartika, Bhai Dooj is a festival where a sister applies tika or tilak on her brother's forehead and blesses him with good health and prosperity. It is also a day when sisters invite their brothers for a  full-fledged sumptuous meal that includes their favourite dishes/sweets.

Just like rakhi, the underlying significance of Bhai Dooj too is to highlight a brother's duty to protect his sister. However, with several changes being made to how festivals are celebrated and what they signify, Bhai Dooj is also about the whole family gathering to celebrate togetherness and oneness. 

In the traditional style of observing the festival, sisters first perform an aarti of their brothers and apply a red tika on the brother's forehead. This tika signifies a sister's deepest and heartfelt prayers for her brother, wherein she wishes for her brother's long life and happiness. 

While sisters perform the tilak act, brothers shower their sisters with love, blessings and also presents to make the day even more special. 

Bhai Dooj 2021 tilak tithi

Dwitiya Tithi will start on November 5 at 11:14 pm and remain till 07:44 pm on November 6.

The auspicious festival of Bhai Dooj, known by several other names such as Bhai Beej or Bhau Beej in Maharashtra and Gujarat, Bhai Tika in Nepal and Bhai Pota or Bhsi Phonta in West Bengal, is celebrated across India.