Bhatri Dwitiya in Assam in 2025
The state government of Assam has declared Bhatri Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj) as a public holiday for the Gorkha community.
When is Bhai Bij?
This regional holiday is celebrated on the second day of the Hindu month of Kartik. Also known as Bhai Dooj, this means it is celebrated shortly after the festival of Diwali, which means it falls in either October or November.
Traditions of Bhai Bij
Bhai Bij is a festival that focuses on siblings and honours the brother-sister relationship.
On this day sisters invite their brothers to join them for a feast of their favourite dishes. The sisters put a tilak (powder mark) on their brothers' forehead and pray for their long lives and brothers in return bestow them with gifts.
At the feast, special festive dishes like "basundi poori" are served. Basundi is sweet, extra-thick milk porridge, and "poori" indicates that fruits, nutmeg, and cardamon are added to it.
Close relatives and friends are also invited to join in the Bhav Bij celebrations.
