Bhaubeej 2026 on Wednesday, 11 November: Rituals, the Yama Story and What Sisters Without Brothers Do
Bhaubeej, the last day of Diwali in Maharashtra, falls on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Here is how sisters perform the aukshan and the story behind it.
Photo: suketdedhia / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bhaubeej falls on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 and closes Diwali in Maharashtra. Sisters invite their brothers home, perform an aukshan (aarti) and apply a tilak, pray for their long life, and serve them a festive meal. Brothers give a gift in return.
The day is called Bhai Dooj in north India and Yama Dwitiya in the scriptures, because it falls on the second day of the bright half of Kartik. Our Diwali 2026 calendar has the dates for every day of the festival.
What is the story behind Bhaubeej?
The best-known story is of Yama, the god of death, visiting his sister Yami, also called Yamuna. She welcomed him with an aarti, put a tilak on his forehead and cooked his favourite food.
Pleased, Yama blessed her and declared that any brother who receives a tilak from his sister on this day would be protected, according to Hindu Blog. That promise of protection is the heart of the festival.
How is the Bhaubeej aukshan done?
Culture and Heritage describes the usual steps in Maharashtrian homes:
- The sister draws a rangoli square where her brother sits.
- She applies a tilak of kumkum and rice grains to his forehead.
- She performs the aarti with a lit diya, often with a garland and sweets on the plate.
- She prays for his long life, happiness and success.
- She feeds him a sweet, and he gives her a gift and promises to stand by her.
Timings vary from home to home; many families do it around lunch, followed by the meal.
What do sisters without brothers do on Bhaubeej?
Girls and women without a brother traditionally dedicate their Bhaubeej puja to Chandra, the moon god, performing the aukshan towards the moon in the evening. Many also perform it for cousins or close family friends whom they treat as brothers.
What is served on Bhaubeej?
The meal is the last big feast of Diwali. Common dishes include puran poli, shrikhand-puri, basundi, and a thali with the season’s vegetables, along with the remaining Diwali faral such as chakli, karanji and ladoo. See our Diwali faral guide.
What gifts do brothers give on Bhaubeej?
Traditionally, brothers gave a sari, a blouse piece or a piece of jewellery. Today, popular choices in Pune include:
- Clothes or a handloom sari
- Silver or gold jewellery
- Books, gadgets or a gift voucher
- Experiences, such as a concert or a trip
If you are buying sweets for the day, buy from a shop that displays an FSSAI licence. The FDA seized over 3,000 kg of suspected substandard sweets in Pune division in a single day before Diwali; see our report on the FDA drive.
What comes after Bhaubeej?
Bhaubeej closes Diwali, but the festive season continues. Prabodhini (Kartiki) Ekadashi falls on Friday, 20 November, when Warkaris gather at Pandharpur, and Tulsi Vivah is held in many homes between then and Kartik Purnima on 24 November. Read our Tulsi Vivah 2026 guide.
State schools reopen on Monday, 16 November after the Diwali vacation; see our school Diwali vacation report.
Frequently asked questions
When is Bhaubeej in 2026?
Bhaubeej is on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, the last day of Diwali in Maharashtra.
What is the story of Bhaubeej?
Yama, the god of death, visited his sister Yami, who welcomed him with an aarti and a meal. He blessed brothers who receive a tilak from their sisters on this day.
What do girls without brothers do on Bhaubeej?
They traditionally perform the aukshan to Chandra, the moon, in the evening, or for a cousin or close friend.
Is Bhaubeej the same as Bhai Dooj?
Yes. Bhaubeej is the Marathi name for Bhai Dooj, also called Yama Dwitiya.
