The festival of Bhai Dooj is celebrated the day after Govardhan Puja. In Hinduism, this festival symbolizes the unbreakable love and trust between siblings. Bhai Dooj is also known as 'Yam Dwitiya'. According to mythological beliefs, it was on this day that Yamuna invited her brother, Yamraj, to her home with great respect and applied a *tilak* on his forehead.

In return, Yamraj blessed Yamuna with good fortune and granted the boon of a long life to all brothers. The scriptures outline several specific guidelines for the rituals of Bhai Dooj. It is believed that performing the *tilak* ceremony while facing the correct direction brings happiness and prosperity to the family and yields auspicious results. In this article, let us explore in detail the directions in which the brother and sister should face during the *tilak* ceremony.

In which direction should the brother face?
According to Vastu Shastra and religious traditions, the brother should face either the North or the North-West direction while receiving the *tilak*. The North is associated with Kuber, the deity of wealth, and is considered a source of positive energy. It is believed that facing this direction while receiving the *tilak* blesses the brother with a long life, excellent health, and financial prosperity.

In which direction should the sister face?
When the brother is facing North or North-West, it is considered auspicious for the sister to face the East or North-East while applying the *tilak*. In religious rituals, the East is regarded as the 'direction of the gods' (*Dev Disha*), which helps ensure the success of one's endeavors.

Important points to keep in mind:
Never seat the brother facing the South, as this is considered the direction of Yamraj (the Lord of Death), and facing this direction is prohibited during auspicious rituals.
Do not seat the brother directly on the floor or the ground; always use a wooden platform (*chowki*) or a clean mat made of *kusha* grass for the ceremony.

Before applying the *tilak*, ensure that the brother’s head is covered with a handkerchief or a clean piece of cloth. When is Bhai Dooj 2026?
Beginning of the Dwitiya Tithi (second lunar day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the month of Kartik: November 10 at 02:00 PM
Conclusion of the Dwitiya Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik: November 11 at 03:53 PM
According to the Vedic calendar, the festival of Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on November 11 this year.
On the day of Bhai Dooj, the auspicious time (muhurta) for the 'tilak' ceremony is from 01:10 PM to 03:20 PM.

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