Two days after Diwali, homes across India celebrate Bhai Dooj, when sisters put a tilak on their brothers and pray for their long life. In Kayastha homes the same morning begins with something else as well: the pen, inkpot and account books are placed before Bhagwan Shri Chitragupta for Chitragupta Puja. Why do these two festivals share one day? The answer lies in the name of the day itself — Yama Dwitiya.
The story of Yama and Yamuna
According to tradition, Yamaraj and the river goddess Yamuna were brother and sister, children of Surya dev. Yamuna often invited her brother to visit her, but Yamaraj — busy with his duty of judging souls — could not come. At last, on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, he went to her home. Yamuna welcomed him with great joy, put a tilak on his forehead, offered him a meal and prayed for his well-being.
Pleased, Yamaraj asked her to choose a boon. Yamuna asked that every brother who visits his sister on this day and receives her tilak should be free from the fear of untimely death. Yamaraj granted it. That is why the day is called Yama Dwitiya and why brothers and sisters meet on Bhai Dooj. In Mathura, many devotees take a holy dip in the Yamuna on this day.
Where Chitragupta ji fits in
Lord Chitragupta sits beside Yamaraj in Yamaloka and keeps the record of every soul’s karma. It is natural, then, that the day dedicated to Yama is also the day to worship the keeper of his records. Kayastha tradition says that on Yama Dwitiya, Lord Chitragupta is worshipped together with the pen, ink and books — the tools of his work and the symbols of the community’s love of learning. This is why Chitragupta Puja and Bhai Dooj fall on the very same tithi.
How a Kayastha family plans the day
Most families fit both celebrations into one day without any clash:
- Morning — Chitragupta Puja. After bathing, the family sets up the chowki, worships Lord Chitragupta, places the new pen and books before him, writes the yearly account on a fresh paper and does the aarti. Details are in our guide to Kalam-Dawat Puja.
- Pen picked up again. In families that rest the pen after Diwali, writing starts again only after the puja.
- Bhai Dooj tilak. Sisters then do the tilak and aarti of their brothers, offer sweets and pray for their long life; brothers give gifts in return.
- Family meal. The day usually ends with a festive lunch or dinner, often with relatives who have come home for Diwali.
Many Kayastha sabhas organise a community Chitragupta Puja on this day, followed by cultural programmes, so the whole samaj can celebrate together.
A note on the date
Yama Dwitiya follows the lunar calendar, so the English date changes every year, and in some years the tithi begins or ends in the middle of the day. Families usually do the puja when the Dwitiya tithi is present in the morning or around midday. Check the exact date and muhurat for your city in the Kayastha Setu panchang.
Chitra Pournami in the South
In Tamil Nadu, Lord Chitragupta is also worshipped on Chitra Pournami, the full moon of the month of Chaitra. The Chitragupta Swamy temple at Kanchipuram is especially crowded on that day. It shows how widely the Lord of records is honoured across India.
Small ideas for the family
- Let children write their name and one learning goal for the year on the puja paper.
- Tell them the story of Yama and Yamuna while the sisters prepare the tilak thali.
- Call cousins who live far away — Bhai Dooj by video call is now a sweet new tradition.
- Send wishes to the extended family with Shubh Sandesh cards.
Celebrate with the samaj
Yama Dwitiya brings together two of the things Kayastha families value most: the bond of family and the respect for learning. To get a reminder before the puja, see the muhurat for your city and find Kayastha families near you, download Kayastha Setu. You can also read the full story of Lord Chitragupta in our Kayastha community guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Bhai Dooj called Yama Dwitiya?
Because on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya Yamaraj visited his sister Yamuna, who welcomed him with a tilak. He blessed all brothers who receive their sister’s tilak on this day.
Why is Chitragupta Puja done on Bhai Dooj?
Lord Chitragupta keeps Yamaraj’s records, so he is worshipped on Yama Dwitiya, the day dedicated to Yama — together with the pen, ink and books.
Should Chitragupta Puja be done before the Bhai Dooj tilak?
Many families do the Chitragupta Puja in the morning and the Bhai Dooj tilak after it, but practice varies. Follow your family tradition and the muhurat in the panchang.
About Kayastha Setu: Kayastha Setu (kayasthasetu.com) is the community app of the Kayastha samaj — family directory, Kayastha matrimony, jobs, blood donors, SOS, daily panchang, live aarti and Kaya AI in Hindi and English. Read our guide to the Kayastha community or download the app.
