Raksha Bandhan Festival

Raksha Bandhan is a significant festival for Hindus and is celebrated with great joy and devotion. It provides an opportunity for families to come together, reinforce cultural values, and commemorate the pure bond of love, protection, and affection shared between sisters and brothers.

The Raksha Bandhan festival 2023 will fall on 30th August, Wednesday. Scroll down this article on Raksha Bandhan to read in detail, the beautiful history entailing the celebration of Rakhi!

The Story of Traditional Rakhi

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.

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, known as a rakhi band. This gesture symbolized 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. On this day, sisters tie a rakhi around the wrist of their brothers, symbolising their love and protection, and brothers pledge to protect their sisters and shower them with gifts and love.

Therefore, Raksha Bandhan is a significant festival for Hindus and is 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 serves as a reminder of the importance of love, protection, and care in familial relationships and the value of maintaining strong family ties.

When is Raksha Bandhan in 2023?

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated annually on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana. In 2023, the festival is expected to be celebrated on Wednesday, August 13th.

How to Celebrate Raksha Bandhan?

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

1. 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 symbolizes the sister's love and protection for her brother and her prayer for his safety.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Raksha Bandhan Celebrations in Different Parts of India

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

1. 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.
2. West India: In places like Rajastha, 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.