Raksha Bandhan is one of the more popular Hindu festivals in India. It is celebrated on the day of the full moon in the month of Shravan and signifies the bond between a brother and sister. Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is celebrated primarily in north India. A lot of regional festivals like Nariyal Purnima, Avanni Avittam, Kajri Purnima and Pavitropana fall on this day as well.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival that has been celebrated for centuries and still holds as much value today. This year, Raksha Bandhan falls on the 5th of August. Let's take a look at what the spirit of Raksha Bandhan is all about and how you can make it really special.
The Significance of Raksha Bandhan
India's folk tales are scattered with stories about the bonds between brothers and sisters. The brother-sister relationship in India is a very sacred and celebrated one. Raksha Bandhan gives the people of India a reason to celebrate this very bond. Raksha Bandhan means 'bond of protection' and on this day, brothers take an oath to protect their sisters under all circumstances.
How Raksha Bandhan is Celebrated
On Raksha Bandhan, women meet their brothers and perform a puja for gods, followed by an 'aarti' for their brothers. After the aarti they tie a thread, called a Rakhi, on the right wrist of the brother. The thread is believed to protect the brother from all evil. In return, the brother promises to always protect his sister. This is followed by eating traditional Indian sweets and then the brother gives a gift to his sister and offers her his blessings.
Indian men are very proud of rakhis and wear them for the entire day and sometimes even for a whole week after Raksha Bandhan.
Folk Tales about Raksha Bandhan
Different stories about Raksha Bandhan exist in different parts of India, and each story is equally colourful and interesting and unique. Let's take a look at some of the more popular folk tales about Raksha Bandhan.
Perhaps the most popular of stories related to Raksha Bandhan is the one about Lord Indra. Indra was the god of gods and the story goes that when he warred against Vritra, it was the thread that Indra's wife tied on his wrist that kept him safe. Since the thread became a symbol of protection, it soon became associated with Raksha Bandhan as well.
Another story is from the Mahabharata, where Draupadi ties a small strip of cloth around Lord Krishna's wrist to prevent a wound from bleeding. Lord Krishna was so touched by this move that he swore to always protect Draupadi. And he kept his promise when the Kauravas were stripping Draupadi. He magically made her sari infinitely long, so that no matter how long the Kauravas tried, they could not strip her.
In the 16th century, it is believed that the widowed wife of Rana Sangram Singh, Queen Karnavati, used a rakhi to protect Chittorgarh. She sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun of the Mughal Empire to seek protection from Bahadur Shah, who was leading an attack against Chittorgarh. Emperor Humayun was moved by this gesture and abandoned his ongoing military campaign to rush to the aid of Queen Karnavati.
Thus, folklore has had an eternal effect on the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
Gifts for Raksha Bandhan 2009
Gifts for Raksha Bandhan are mainly purchased by brothers for their sisters. In the early days, after the sister tied the rakhi, the brother would offer money. But over time, this has been replaced by gifts. Gifts such as gift coupons, make-up kits, clothes, perfumes etc. are quite common. Whatever you pick, make sure it is a meaningful gift and amply expresses your feelings!
It is important that you buy your sister a good gift because Raksha Bandhan is the only time of the year when you can show your sister how much you love her. It is best to take your sister along when making a purchase, because women can be quite fussy when picking a gift! In fact, you can spend some time with her and catch up on each other's lives. Time spent together would mean a lot to both of you.
And the gift need not be just a material gift, you can also take her out for dinner, or to a good movie, or anywhere else she wants to go. You can also include the rest of the family as the festive spirit affects all!
Thus, it is the essence of Raksha Bandhan and the values it holds that makes it such a favourite among Indian festivals. So go ahead and share this really beautiful day with your dear sister!
Do you know when Raksha Bandhan is? How do you plan to celebrate Raksha Bandhan this year? Do you know about the history of Raksha Bandhan? To share your tips, views, and experiences, click here.
