A Sister’s Blessing: Celebrating Bhai Tika on 23 October 2025

Bhai Tika

A Festival of Love, Protection and Family Bonds

Bhai Tika is one of the most heartfelt and meaningful celebrations in the Nepali calendar. Falling on 23 October 2025, it marks the final day of Tihar – Nepal’s luminous festival of lights. Unlike the grandeur of the earlier festivities, Bhai Tika is a quiet, intimate occasion that celebrates the unbreakable bond between brothers and sisters. It’s a day steeped in devotion, gratitude, and affection, symbolising a simple human promise – sisters praying for their brothers’ long, happy lives, and brothers returning that love with heartfelt gifts and blessings.

Sacred Rituals and the Seven-Coloured Tika

In Nepal, the Bhai Tika ceremony is a vivid and beautiful sight. Sisters begin by painting a saptarangi tika – a seven-coloured mark – on their brothers’ foreheads, each hue representing a divine blessing. They then adorn their brothers with garlands made of makhamali (Gomphrena) flowers, chosen for their long-lasting freshness and symbolism of enduring love. The ritual continues with a delicate puja involving oil lamps, holy water, and a protective circle drawn around the brother – a sacred act meant to shield him from harm and misfortune. These customs are deeply connected to the ancient story of Yama, the God of Death, and his sister Yamuna, whose love and prayers granted her brother eternal protection.

A Feast of Togetherness

As the rituals conclude, the festival becomes a joyous family gathering. Brothers bow to touch their sisters’ feet, expressing gratitude and respect, while sisters serve traditional delicacies like sel roti, anarasa, and sweetmeats prepared specially for the occasion. Gifts are exchanged – tokens of appreciation that go beyond material value, reflecting love and care nurtured through years of shared memories.

Bhai Tika Across Borders: Bhai Dooj, Bhai Phonta, and Bhau Beej

While Bhai Tika holds deep roots in Nepal, similar celebrations can be found across India. In northern India, it is known as Bhai Dooj, where sisters perform aarti and apply a sacred tilak on their brothers’ foreheads. In West Bengal, it’s called Bhai Phonta, marked by lively rituals and festive gatherings. Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Karnataka, the festival is celebrated as Bhau Beej or Bhav Bij, each version enriched by regional traditions and flavours. Despite these differences, the essence remains universal – a day devoted to honouring the sibling bond through love, prayers, and mutual blessings.

A Universal Celebration of Family and Faith

Bhai Tika transcends regional boundaries, reminding us of the profound connection between siblings that stands strong through time and distance. It’s more than a ritual – it’s a celebration of care, trust, and the enduring human spirit that unites families everywhere. As homes across Nepal and India fill with laughter, colour, and devotion this October, Bhai Tika continues to shine as a timeless symbol of love’s power to protect and endure.

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