Bhai Phota 2026 falls on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Bengali Hindu families in Bangladesh will mark the day, which closes the five-day Diwali festivities. Sisters will apply the traditional phota on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their health and long life.
Bhai Phota 2026 Date
The festival is held on the Dwitiya tithi, the second lunar day of the bright fortnight of Kartik. It follows the lunar calendar, so the English date changes every year. In 2025, it was on 23 October, and in 2027 it will move back to 31 October.
Dwitiya Tithi Timings
According to Drik Panchang data for New Delhi, the Dwitiya tithi begins at 2:00 PM on 10 November and ends at 3:53 PM on 11 November. Bangladesh time is 30 minutes ahead, so that means from about 2:30 PM on 10 November to about 4:23 PM on 11 November. Since the tithi is active through the afternoon of 11 November, that is the day to observe the festival. Panchang websites sometimes differ by a few minutes, so check a local Bengali Panchang to be safe.
Best Time for the Phota Ceremony
The afternoon, known as Aparahna, is the traditional time for the ceremony. For New Delhi, the window runs from about 1:10 PM to 3:20 PM. Cities further east, such as Kolkata, see the window open roughly 15 to 25 minutes earlier, and Dhaka and Chattogram sit further east still. If the afternoon window is missed, the phota can still be applied at any time while Dwitiya lasts, which means before about 4:23 PM Bangladesh time.
How Families Celebrate
In Bengali homes, sisters apply a paste of sandalwood, kajal and curd on their brother’s forehead and recite prayers in Bengali. Brothers give gifts in return, and the day usually ends with a festive meal. Sweets such as sandesh and rasgulla are common, and many families travel to be together.
Plan Your Day
With the tithi ending late in the afternoon, it is best to finish the ceremony by early afternoon. Confirm the exact time for your city with a local Panchang before the day begins.
