Raksha Bandhan: A Promise Of Protection

Rakhi, popularly known as Raksha Bandhan in English, is a Hindu festival celebrating the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated annually on the full moon day of Shravana.

The Raksha Bandhan Festival 2024 will be on Monday, August 19th. Scroll down this article on Raksha Bandhan to read in detail about the beautiful history entailing the celebration of Rakhi!

How To Celebrate Raksha Bandhan?

The following are some of the rituals that are performed during the Raksha Bandhan celebrations:

  • Rakhi Tying: The central ritual of Raksha Bandhan is the tying of a sacred thread, known as a rakhi, around the wrist of the brother by the sister. This symbolises the sister's love and protection for her brother and her prayer for his safety.
  • Aarti: A traditional Hindu ceremony, Aarti is performed to honour the brother and ask for his well-being. The sister lights a lamp and performs aarti while singing prayers and hymns in his honour.
  • Exchange of Gifts: Brothers and sisters share gifts amongst themselves to celebrate their love and gratefulness for each other. Sisters may receive gifts such as sweets, money, or jewellery from their brothers, while brothers may receive gifts such as clothes or kitchen items from their sisters.
  • Food and Celebrations: Raksha Bandhan is a time for families to come together and enjoy a meal. Traditional sweets such as peda, burfi, and laddoo are prepared and shared among family members.

Mythology Associated With Raksha Bandhan

The story of Raksha Bandhan has its roots in Hindu mythology. It has been passed down from generation to generation. According to Hindu legend, the festival was started to commemorate and celebrate the love and protection offered by Lord Krishna to his sister, Subhadra. The traditional rakhi tale goes as follows:

The Tale Of Lord Krishna & His Sister Subhadra

Subhadra was a young girl worried about her brother, Lord Krishna, who was going to war. She wanted to protect him and ensure his safety, so she tied a sacred thread around his wrist, a rakhi band.

This gesture symbolised her love and protection for her brother and her prayer for his safety. Lord Krishna was touched by his sister's love and always pledged to protect her. The story of Raksha Bandhan is as significant as the Rakhi meaning in English. It has become a central part of Hindu mythology and is celebrated as a reminder of the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters.

Rakhi: A Bond Of Protection

On this day, sisters tie a rakhi around their brothers' wrists, symbolising their love and protection. Brothers pledge to protect their sisters and shower them with gifts and love. Therefore, Raksha Bandhan is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with great joy and devotion.

The festival provides an opportunity for families to come together, reinforce cultural values, and celebrate the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. The story of Raksha Bandhan reminds us of the importance of love, protection, and care in familial relationships and the value of maintaining strong family ties.

Raksha Bandhan Celebration In Different Parts of India

Here are a few Raksha Bandhan facts about how the festival is celebrated in different parts of India:

North India

In the northern part of India, such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi, Raksha Bandhan is one of the major festivals. On this day, sisters visit their brothers and tie a rakhi band on their wrists, symbolising their love and protection. Brothers, in return, give gifts and sweets to their sisters.

West India

In places like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, Raksha Bandhan is an elaborate celebration. In these states, the festival is known as "Nariyal Purnima" and is marked by eating sweet coconut rice and performing rituals.

East India

In East India, particularly in West Bengal and Odisha states, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with utmost devotion. On this day, sisters pray to the gods and seek blessings for their brothers.

South India

In South India, Raksha Bandhan is known as "Avani Avittam" and is celebrated by performing puja and prayers for brothers. In Tamil Nadu, a sacred thread is tied around the wrist, symbolising the bond of love between brothers and sisters.

Central India

In Central India, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, people celebrate this festival by visiting temples and praying for the well-being of brothers.

Hence, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with great joy and devotion in different parts of India. The customs and traditions may vary from region to region, but the underlying message of love and protection between brothers and sisters remains the same.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Raksha Bandhan symbolises the love, protection, and duty between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie a sacred thread, called a Rakhi, around the wrist of their brothers as a symbol of their love and to ask for their protection.
It is said that when Lord Krishna was injured in a battle, Draupadi tore a strip of cloth from her sari and tied it around his wrist to stop the bleeding. This act of love and protection is said to be the origin of Raksha Bandhan.
On the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, sisters start their day early, continue to shower wear fresh, new clothes, and then perform a puja for their brothers. They then tie a Rakhi around the wrist of their brothers and pray for their well-being.
A sister can tie a Rakhi to her brother or anyone who considers the person to be like a brother. Rakhi can also be tied to cousins, nephews, and friends. The bond of love and protection is important, not the blood relationship.
The Rakhi thread is a symbol of love and protection that extends from the sister to the brother. It is considered a sacred and holy thread that protects the brother from harm and brings him good luck.
The sweets and gifts exchanged during Raksha Bandhan symbolise the love and affection between brothers and sisters. The gifts are a token of appreciation for the love and protection that the siblings provide for each other.
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