Yama Dwitiya 2024: Date, Muhurat time, Rituals, Significance and more

Yama Dwitiya 2024: Date, Muhurat time

Yama Dwitiya, also popularly known as Bhai Dooj, is a revered Hindu festival observed on the Dwitiya Tithi (second day) during the Kartik month. This year it will be celebrated on Sunday, November 3, 2024. This festival is dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters, and most often falls two days after Diwali Puja. In 2024, Yama Dwitiya offers an opportunity for siblings to strengthen their relationship while honouring Lord Yamraj, the god of death, and Goddess Yamuna.

Yama Dwitiya 2024: Date and Muhurat

Yama Dwitiya holds great significance in Hindu tradition. According to legend, Goddess Yamuna invited her brother, Lord Yamraj, to her home on this day, where she welcomed him with respect and affection, fed him with her own hands, and performed rituals for his well-being. Moved by her love, Lord Yamraj blessed her and declared that any brother who receives food from his sister on this day would be blessed with a long and prosperous life. Since then, it has been a tradition for sisters to pray for the long life and happiness of their brothers, who, in turn, offer gifts as a token of love and appreciation.

Bhai Dooj 2024 Today: Know Best Muhurat Timings, Rituals, and Significance

Yama Dwitiya: Rituals

The rituals associated with Yama Dwitiya are centred around the worship of Lord Yamraj, Goddess Yamuna, and Chitragupta, who is Lord Yama’s record-keeper. The following rituals are typically observed on this day:

• Yamuna Snan: Devotees are encouraged to perform a holy bath, or “Yamuna Snan,” in the morning before the main Yama Puja. This ritual, symbolizing purification, is believed to wash away sins and prepare devotees for the Puja.
• Yama Puja during Aparahna: The main Yama Puja is performed during the Aparahna period, the ideal time for conducting rituals dedicated to Lord Yamraj. In this Puja, devotees offer prayers to Lord Yamraj, seeking his blessings for longevity and protection from untimely death.
• Offering Arghya to Lord Yama: After completing the Yama Puja, devotees offer “Arghya,” a form of offering usually consisting of water, flowers, and rice, to Lord Yama, expressing respect and gratitude.
• Bhai Dooj Traditions: On Yama Dwitiya, sisters invite their brothers to their homes, cook a delicious meal, and feed them with love and care. This act is a symbolic representation of the bond between Goddess Yamuna and Lord Yamraj. Sisters believe that feeding their brothers on this day ensures lifelong prosperity and good fortune, while brothers present gifts as a token of their love and appreciation.

Why is Yama Dwitiya Also Known as Bhai Dooj?

While Yama Dwitiya is the festival’s traditional name, it is more commonly known as Bhai Dooj. The name “Bhai Dooj” reflects the festival's emphasis on the brother-sister relationship. According to Hindu belief, sisters who observe the customs of Bhai Dooj and feed their brothers are granted the blessing of "Saubhagyavati" (सौभाग्यवती), which symbolizes eternal good fortune. Additionally, it is believed that brothers who eat at their sisters’ homes on this day are blessed with a long, healthy life.

Yama Dwitiya 2024 is an auspicious day for celebrating the enduring love and bond between brothers and sisters. As sisters prepare traditional meals and perform rituals, they seek blessings for their brothers’ long lives and prosperity, while brothers return their affection through gifts and gratitude. Observing the rituals of Yama Dwitiya is believed to bring good fortune, family unity, and divine blessings, making it a cherished festival in the Hindu calendar.

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