Bhai Dooj in London 2025: Celebrating the Bond Beyond Borders
If you’ve grown up celebrating Diwali, you already know the festival doesn’t just end when the diyas dim. There’s one last celebration that quietly ties it all together: Bhai Dooj (or Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej, Bhai Phonta depending on where you’re from).
And while most of London’s big Diwali lights and markets start winding down after the weekend, Bhai Dooj still carries that warm afterglow the part that’s more about home, love, and gratitude than fireworks and crowds.
This year, Bhai Dooj falls on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, and if you’re in London, there are more ways than ever to celebrate it whether you’re a local, a student away from home, or someone new discovering Indian traditions for the first time.
So let’s talk about how Londoners are marking Bhai Dooj 2025 where to go, what to eat, and how to make it feel like home.
What Exactly Is Bhai Dooj?
If Diwali is about light, Bhai Dooj is about warmth. It’s a day that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters or more broadly, between siblings and loved ones who share a familial connection.
Traditionally, sisters apply a tilak on their brother’s forehead, perform an aarti, and pray for their wellbeing. In return, brothers promise to protect them and often gift something thoughtful (or sometimes, just cash which no one complains about).
It’s said to have originated from the legend of Yama (the God of Death) visiting his sister Yamuna, who welcomed him with sweets, tilak, and love. Moved by her affection, Yama declared that any brother who receives the same from his sister on this day will live a long and happy life.
But for many of us in London miles away from family Bhai Dooj has taken on a new meaning. It’s not just about rituals; it’s about staying connected to your roots in a city that celebrates every culture, every story.
Where to Celebrate Bhai Dooj in London 2025
London might not have Bhai Dooj-specific parades or public festivals, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate in full spirit. Here are some wonderful ways from temple rituals to intimate dinners that will make the day feel special.
1. Neasden Temple (BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir)
If you want to experience the spiritual heart of Bhai Dooj, head to the Neasden Temple in northwest London. Around Diwali, the temple glows brighter than ever, and Bhai Dooj marks the final day of their festive week.
Expect beautifully arranged flower decorations, aarti ceremonies, and families visiting to offer prayers together. It’s one of the few places in London where you can genuinely feel the festival’s calm, devotional side.
Location: 105–119 Brentfield Road, NW10 8LD
How to get there: Take the Jubilee Line to Neasden Station and walk about 15 minutes, or hop on bus routes 112 or 297.
💡 Tip: Check the temple’s website a few days before Bhai Dooj for confirmed timings of the aarti and darshan schedule.
If you’re travelling to London just for Diwali or Bhai Dooj, book your nearby stay early you can find great hotel options around Wembley and Neasden by clicking here for current deals.
2. Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir, Wembley
This temple celebrates every phase of Diwali and continues into Bhai Dooj with smaller family gatherings and pujas. It’s an ideal place for those who prefer a traditional yet less crowded space than Neasden.
The temple’s architecture itself is breathtaking carved entirely from Indian limestone and during Bhai Dooj, the marble courtyard fills with people dressed in vibrant festive wear, exchanging sweets and smiles.
📍 Location: Ealing Road, Wembley HA0 4TA
🚇 How to get there: Wembley Central (Bakerloo Line or Overground) is a 10-minute walk.
After your visit, stroll along Ealing Road it’s like a mini India. You’ll find mithai shops, jewellery stores, and even tiny stalls selling rangoli and diyas. Don’t miss picking up fresh barfi or laddoos from Suraj Sweets or Anjana’s Mithai nearby.
3. Home-Style Celebrations for London Families & Students
If you’re away from home, London’s Indian communities make it easy to recreate the feeling.
You can find puja kits, tilak, and diya sets at Southall Broadway or Green Street in East London. Stores like Pankaj Store (Southall) or Ambala Foods (Green Street) stock everything you’ll need for a small, meaningful home puja.
And for those living in student halls or shared flats gather your friends, even if they’re not Indian. Explain the ritual, cook some sweets, and make it a cross-cultural celebration. You’d be surprised how many people love learning about Bhai Dooj once they know its story.
If you’re looking to travel across London easily for your festive shopping or temple visits, book a rental car from here you’ll get better weekend deals compared to last-minute ride-hailing.
4. Sweet Shops and Special Menus
Diwali sweets are still everywhere around this time and Bhai Dooj is the perfect excuse to treat yourself again.
Head to Jaspa’s Mithai in Wembley, Mithaas in Harrow, or Royal Sweet Shop in Southall all known for authentic Indian sweets like motichoor laddoos, kajukatli, and rasgullas.
If you’re looking for something more modern, restaurants like Cinnamon Kitchen City, Dishoom Shoreditch, and Gunpowder Tower Bridge often keep their Diwali tasting menus running for a week or two after the main festival so you might still be able to sneak in a festive dinner.
Other Diwali-Week Celebrations You Can Still Catch
Even though Diwali night might be over, several celebrations run into late October:
Brent Cross Diwali Festival (Oct 26) – Henna workshops, dhol drummers, and family-friendly fun.
Southbank Diwali Preview (Oct 25) – Cultural stalls and early light installations along the Thames.
Devonshire Square Diwali Festival (Oct 21) – Free dance shows and food tastings in the City of London.
These events are great if you want to keep the festive buzz alive through Bhai Dooj weekend.
Why Bhai Dooj in London Feels Different (and Special)
There’s something deeply touching about celebrating an Indian sibling festival in the heart of a global city.
You’ll see siblings video-calling each other from cafés in Camden, sisters sending rakhi-style gift boxes through UberEats, and families gathering in tiny London flats with homemade sweets and Spotify bhajans playing softly in the background.
It’s not about grand scale; it’s about intimacy. About keeping a tradition alive in your own way, no matter where you are.
And that’s what makes Bhai Dooj in London so beautifully unique.
Final Thoughts Keep the Light Going
So whether you’re visiting a temple, FaceTiming your brother from a Pret coffee shop, or cooking kheer in your tiny Zone 3 kitchen remember that Bhai Dooj isn’t about distance, it’s about connection.
If you’re planning to make it a weekend celebration, book your stay in advance through here, especially near Wembley or Southbank both areas stay lively during Diwali week.
London might be far from home, but festivals like these remind us that warmth travels.
Stay in the Loop with Londonyaar
Every Diwali, London feels a little more like home and we’re here to make sure you don’t miss a single spark. From temple schedules to last-minute festive pop-ups and cultural events, I share everything as it happens.
Follow @London.yaar for real-time London festival updates, insider local tips, and stories that make you fall in love with the city all over again.
Because whether it’s Diwali, Bhai Dooj, or just another rainy London day there’s always light to be found here.