Next observance
Wed, November 11
ভ্রাতৃদ্বিতীয়া · ২৪ কার্তিক, বুধবার
Bhai Phonta (the Bhratri Dwitiya rites)
Gupta Press: By 2:41 PM
In the panjika: বেণীমাধব শীল ১৪৩৩, ২৪ কার্তিক: দিবা ঘ ২।১১ মধ্যে ভ্রাতৃদ্বিতীয়াকৃত্য (ভাইফোঁটা)। যম-যমুনা-চিত্রগুপ্ত ও যমদূত পূজা। যমার্ঘ্যদান। ভগিনী কর্তৃক ভ্রাতৃ পূজা (ভারতীয় সময়)
Dwitiya ends (drik reckoning)
Bishuddha Siddhanta: By 4:23 PM
Bhai Phonta, or Bhratri Dwitiya, falls on the second day of the bright fortnight of Kartik, two days after Kali Puja. Sisters put a phonta, a mark, on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life; the day is also called Yama Dwitiya.
By the old story, on this day Yamuna fed her brother Yama and marked his forehead; hence the rhyme's line about a thorn at Yama's door.
The phonta is a prayer for a brother's well-being and long life. The panjika prescribes the worship of Yama, Yamuna, Chitragupta and Yama's messengers, an offering to Yama, and the brother eating from his sister's hand; the brother in turn gives his sister clothes and gifts.
The sister lights a lamp and puts a sandal-paste phonta on her brother's forehead, saying the rhyme; many families also bless with paddy and durba grass. Then the brother is fed sweets and a meal, and gives his sister a gift. Customs vary by family.
Many sisters fast until they have given the phonta; it is a custom, not a rule.
2026
Wed, November 11
Bhratri Dwitiya · Wednesday, 24 Kartik
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Duration
1 days
In 2026, Bhai Phonta (Bhratri Dwitiya) is observed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
By the Beni Madhab Sil panjika, on 24 Kartik (11 November) 2026, before 2:41 PM Bangladesh time (printed as 2:11 in Indian time). By the drik reckoning Dwitiya lasts until 4:23 PM.
Wednesday, 11 November. Dwitiya begins on the afternoon of the 10th, so some say the 10th, but the panjika gives Bhratri Dwitiya on 24 Kartik (11 November).
The Beni Madhab Sil panjika prints the common Bengali rhyme: the sister marks her brother's forehead and a thorn falls at Yama's door; as Yamuna marks Yama, she marks her brother; as Yama lives for ever, may her brother live long. Families say it in different versions.
The sister lights a lamp, puts a sandal-paste phonta on her brother's forehead with the rhyme, and feeds him; he gives her a gift. The panjika also names the worship of Yama, Yamuna, Chitragupta and Yama's messengers, and the brother eating from his sister's hand.
No. It is not on the 2026 government list, not even among the optional holidays for Hindus; Wednesday 11 November is a working day, so many families give the phonta in the morning.
Bhratri Dwitiya and Yama Dwitiya. In north India the same day is Bhai Dooj, and in Nepal Bhai Tika.