Raksha Bandhan

Raksha (Rakhi) Bandhan festival is premier among the Hindu festivals of rakhi India. The mark of this Raksha Bandhan festival is the very special bond between brother and sister, through the tying of the rakhi (holy thread) by the sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother then vows to protect his sister when in need of protection. This festival is celebrated by the traditional pooja ritual, as well as tying of the rakhi. This signifies the firming of the fraternal relationship of love between sister and brother as well as the protective bond that they share. Brothers and sisters await Raksha bandhan to reaffirm their love and protection for each other.

The arrangements for the Raksha Bandhan festival begin well in advance of the actual day, where the markets and families make their greatest efforts to make the revelry of Raksha bandhan very special. After prayers to God, sisters carry out the aarti on their male siblings, put chawal and tika on their brow, while praying for their happiness. The sisters then tie the rakhi strand on their brother’s wrist, and the brother promises to take concern of her, under any conditions. Many Hindu’s in various parts of the world take this opportunity to send rakhi to Indi. Special Raksha Bandhan meals are prepared during this festival, such as Vermicelli, Ghevar, Rava Ladoo, Kesar Burfi, Pista Sandesh, Kheer, and Malpua.

The ‘bond of love and protection’ is what Raksha Bandhan encompasses. ‘Raksha’ signifies protection while ‘Bandhan’ means to bind or oblige.

Therefore, the Rakhi festival increases the affection, love, feeling of goodwill and care between male and female siblings. The significance of Raksha Bandhan is the same throughout India although it is celebrated in different ways. In Western India, it is called Nariyal Purnima, where it marks the start of the fishing season and ritual coconuts are tossed into the sea. In the South of India, Raksha Bandhan is known as Avani Avittam. Holy baths, chanting of mantras and a changing of the Brahmins Holy threads (Janeyu) is undertaken. They pledge to adopt dignity and good conduct, as well as execute their obligations as instructed in the holy books. In the North of the country, it is known as Kajri Navami or Kajri Purnima in accordance with the sowing of barley or wheat. Farmers seek the blessings of the Goddess Bhagwati for a bumper crop. In Eastern India, the apprentices of the Shanti-Niketan continue the tradition of Rakhi Utsava (tying of Rakhi at Raksha ceremony) to preserve universal unity. All over India, Rakhi Bandhan signifies the serene co-existence of every human being promotes the sentiment of unity and supports a pleasant social life.

There are different kinds of Rakhi Threads, featuring different materials, shapes and sizes. Some of the interesting types of Rakhi Bandhan threads are Beads Rakhi, Cartoon or toy Rakhi, Currency coin or note Rakhi, Floral Rakhi, Gold or Silver coated Rakhi, musical Rakhi, Divine Rakhi India – Shree –Om Rakhi or Ram Rakhi, Resham Rakhi, Sandalwood Rakhi, and Bhaiya-Bhabhi Rakhi.