Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan celebrates and strengthens the bond of love between a brother and sister. Read on to know how the practice of Raksha Bandhan started, why it is considered sacred and how it is celebrated in India. Raksha Bandhan is a festival which has a lot of significance in Indian society. This festival is observed by Hindus and Jains and celebrated all over the country. In this articleObservanceOrigin of Raksha BandhanLord Krishna and DraupadiHumayun and Rani of ChitoorAlexander and PorusHow Parents Can Improve the BrotherSister BondModern Day Rakhi Celebrations Observance On this day, sisters tie a ‘Rakhi’ which is a colourful sacred thread on the wrist of their brothers who in turn promise to look after them and protect them always. Before they tie a Rakhi, they perform an Aarti to their brothers and apply a Tikka on his forehead. Brothers give them an envelope filled with money which sisters accept eagerly. Other gifts such as clothes, jewellery, chocolates, flowers, etc can also be given to sisters by the brothers. As per tradition, they feed each other with sweets. Generally, Indian sweets are offered like Kaju Katli, Barfi or something else. In Indian society, cousins are also given a lot of importance and sisters tie a Rakhi to their male cousins as well. On this day, brothers and sisters pray for the well being of each other. Origin of Raksha Bandhan There are many legends and stories about the history of Raksha Bandhan and how it started. The practice of tying a Rakhi started long back and the tradition continues till today. These are two popular legendary tales which elaborate and reveal some more about the origin and significance of the festival. Lord Krishna and Draupadi As per the Mahabharata, when Lord Krishna injured his hand in a battle, Draupadi, wife of the 5 Pandavas, tore of a strip of her saree to tie around the wound and stem the bleeding. Touched by this gesture, Lord Krishna vowed to protect her from harm always. True to his word, when the Kauravas attempted to undress her in court, Lord Krishna came to her rescue and saved her from shame. Humayun and Rani of Chitoor Widowed queen, Rani Karnavati of Chitoor felt helpless when Bahadur Shah of Mewar threatened to attack Chitoor. She sent a Rakhi to Mughal Emperor of Delhi, Humayun seeking his help. He was so moved by the gesture that he immediately sent his troops to defend Chitoor. Alexander and Porus When Alexander the Great invaded India, his wife sent a sacred thread to Porus who was an Indian king and pleaded with him to spare her husband. When Porus was about to deliver the final blow to Alexander on the battlefield, he looked at the Rakhi on his wrist from Alexander’s wife and stopped himself from killing him. How Parents Can Improve the Brother-Sister Bond Brothers and sisters share a unique and special bond. Parents should try to always sort out differences between the siblings and strengthen the bond. They should treat both sons and daughters equally. Even if both son and daughter are busy in their life, parents should try to ensure that they celebrate this festival. Parents should click photographs during the celebrations so that they become joyful memories. Modern Day Rakhi Celebrations Nowadays Rakhis are available in many beautiful and attractive designs like teddy bears, flowers, dolls, etc. There are trendy and stylish designs also available. Girls and women who have their brothers abroad often send Rakhis by courier also. Nowadays, with the growing popularity of the internet, people have the option to send virtual or online Rakhis also through social networking sites. You can find many greeting cards for Raksha Bandhan online. People send interesting SMS’s from their mobile phones for wishing each other. Thanks to online shopping, sisters in one country can choose from a collection of Rakhis online and it will be delivered to their brothers abroad. Payment can be done online itself. Nowadays, brothers also like to think of some unique gift items to give their sisters such as technical and electronic gadgets, etc. Why is Raksha Bandhan celebrated? How do you celebrate Raksha Bandhan in your family? How can parents help in improving the brother-sister bond? Discuss here.

Raksha Bandhan celebrates and strengthens the bond of love between a brother and sister. Read on to know how the practice of Raksha Bandhan started, why it is considered sacred and how it is celebrated in India.

Raksha Bandhan is a festival which has a lot of significance in Indian society. This festival is observed by Hindus and Jains and celebrated all over the country.

Observance

On this day, sisters tie a ‘Rakhi’ which is a colourful sacred thread on the wrist of their brothers who in turn promise to look after them and protect them always. Before they tie a Rakhi, they perform an Aarti to their brothers and apply a Tikka on his forehead. Brothers give them an envelope filled with money which sisters accept eagerly. Other gifts such as clothes, jewellery, chocolates, flowers, etc can also be given to sisters by the brothers. As per tradition, they feed each other with sweets. Generally, Indian sweets are offered like Kaju Katli, Barfi or something else. In Indian society, cousins are also given a lot of importance and sisters tie a Rakhi to their male cousins as well. On this day, brothers and sisters pray for the well being of each other.

Origin of Raksha Bandhan

There are many legends and stories about the history of Raksha Bandhan and how it started. The practice of tying a Rakhi started long back and the tradition continues till today. These are two popular legendary tales which elaborate and reveal some more about the origin and significance of the festival.

Lord Krishna and Draupadi

As per the Mahabharata, when Lord Krishna injured his hand in a battle, Draupadi, wife of the 5 Pandavas, tore of a strip of her saree to tie around the wound and stem the bleeding. Touched by this gesture, Lord Krishna vowed to protect her from harm always. True to his word, when the Kauravas attempted to undress her in court, Lord Krishna came to her rescue and saved her from shame.

Humayun and Rani of Chitoor

Widowed queen, Rani Karnavati of Chitoor felt helpless when Bahadur Shah of Mewar threatened to attack Chitoor. She sent a Rakhi to Mughal Emperor of Delhi, Humayun seeking his help. He was so moved by the gesture that he immediately sent his troops to defend Chitoor.

Alexander and Porus

When Alexander the Great invaded India, his wife sent a sacred thread to Porus who was an Indian king and pleaded with him to spare her husband. When Porus was about to deliver the final blow to Alexander on the battlefield, he looked at the Rakhi on his wrist from Alexander’s wife and stopped himself from killing him.

How Parents Can Improve the Brother-Sister Bond

Brothers and sisters share a unique and special bond. Parents should try to always sort out differences between the siblings and strengthen the bond. They should treat both sons and daughters equally. Even if both son and daughter are busy in their life, parents should try to ensure that they celebrate this festival. Parents should click photographs during the celebrations so that they become joyful memories.

Modern Day Rakhi Celebrations

Nowadays Rakhis are available in many beautiful and attractive designs like teddy bears, flowers, dolls, etc. There are trendy and stylish designs also available. Girls and women who have their brothers abroad often send Rakhis by courier also. Nowadays, with the growing popularity of the internet, people have the option to send virtual or online Rakhis also through social networking sites. You can find many greeting cards for Raksha Bandhan online. People send interesting SMS’s from their mobile phones for wishing each other. Thanks to online shopping, sisters in one country can choose from a collection of Rakhis online and it will be delivered to their brothers abroad. Payment can be done online itself. Nowadays, brothers also like to think of some unique gift items to give their sisters such as technical and electronic gadgets, etc.

Why is Raksha Bandhan celebrated? How do you celebrate Raksha Bandhan in your family? How can parents help in improving the brother-sister bond? Discuss here.