About Yama Dwitiya
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Yama Dwitiya is observed on Dwitiya Tithi during Kartik month. Most of the times, Yama Dwitiya falls two days after Diwali Puja. Yamraj, the lord of death, is worshipped on Yama Dwitiya along with Chitragupta and YamaDoots, the subordinates of Lord Yamraj. The Aparahna is the most suitable for Yama Dwitiya Puja. Yamuna Snan is suggested in the morning before Yamraj Puja during Aparahna. Arghya should be given to Lord Yama after Puja. Apart from Yama Puja, the day is more popularly known as Bhai Dooj. As per Yama Dwitiya legends, Goddess Yamuna fed her brother Yamraj on Kartik Dwitiya at her own home. Since then this day is known as Yama Dwitiya. It is believed that sisters who feed their brothers on this auspicious day would be forever Saubhagyavati (सौभाग्यवती) and eating at sisters home bestows long life to brothers. Hence, on Bhai Dooj, sisters cook sumptuous food for their brothers and feed them with their own hands.
Deities & divine forms
Yama Dwitiya Vrat Katha based on Lord Yama and Goddess Yamuna is described here. Goddess Yamuna was the very first to invite Her brother to home for a sumptuous meal. Thereafter, Lord Yama granted the boon that one who partakes of a meal at his sister's home on this day will be freed from the torments of Yamaloka. On the day of Bhai Dooj, brothers go to their sister's house and eat food from their hands to seek good health and long life. According to beliefs, on this day Yamraj had food at His sister's home i.e. Goddess Yamuna and gave Her a boon. On Bhaiya Dooj, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and happy lives by performing Teeka ceremony and brothers offer gifts to their sisters. You can check Bhai Dooj Aparahna for your city on this page
How to celebrate Yama Dwitiya 2026
The Aparahna is the most suitable for Yama Dwitiya Puja. Yamuna Snan is suggested in the morning before Yamraj Puja during Aparahna. Arghya should be given to Lord Yama after Puja. Apart from Yama Puja, the day is more popularly known as Bhai Dooj. As per Yama Dwitiya legends, Goddess Yamuna fed her brother Yamraj on Kartik Dwitiya at her own home. Since then this day is known as Yama Dwitiya. It is believed that sisters who feed their brothers on this auspicious day would be forever Saubhagyavati (सौभाग्यवती) and eating at sisters home bestows long life to brothers. Hence, on Bhai Dooj, sisters cook sumptuous food for their brothers and feed them with their own hands. Yama Dwitiya Vrat Katha based on Lord Yama and Goddess Yamuna is described here. Goddess Yamuna was the very first to invite Her brother to home for a sumptuous meal. Thereafter, Lord Yama granted the boon that one who partakes of a meal at his sister's home on this day will be freed from the torments of Yamaloka.
Yama Dwitiya 2026 — FAQs
Yama Dwitiya is observed on 2026-11-11.
Yama Dwitiya is observed on Dwitiya Tithi during Kartik month. Most of the times, Yama Dwitiya falls two days after Diwali Puja. Yamraj, the lord of death, is worshipped on Yama Dwitiya along with Chitragupta and YamaDoots, the subordinates of Lord Yamraj.
