Raksha Bandhan is an eternal bond

Raksha Bandhan is an eternal bond:

    

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Rakhana Is Here

Rakhi, or Raksha Bandhan, the festival to celebrate the incomparable bond between a brother and a sister, is here once again...what joy it brings, as families unite, with every generation having a sister-brother who meet to renew their bond...homes are decorated, rakhis are tied, sweets are fed, and gifts are exchanged...it's a festival that no one wants to miss, such is its charm.

    

An Auspicious Date

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in Shravan month during full moon day or Purnima. The best time to tie a rakhi on Raksha Bandhan is during aparahan. If aparahan time is not available, then pradosh time is considered suitable for performing rituals related to Raksha Bandhan. However, people normally tie the rakhi in the morning of Purnima, during the inauspicious bhadra time, whereas one should wait for this period to get over.

    

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The Rakhi Thali

The rakhi thali is the focal point of the festival. On Raksha Bandhan day, the sister prepares a thali for her brother. The thali consists of chawal, kumkum, diya and rakhi. When a sister meets her brother, she lights the diya and performs an aarti of her brother, then puts the tilak with chawal on the forehead of her brother. Then, she ties the rakhi on her brother's hand.

A Thread of Unity

A rakhi ranges from a simple thread to an elaborate, diamond-studded wristband. But the message it conveys is as profound as it is simple: it is a bond of mutual protection. The brother vows to protect his sister in difficult times, while a sister offers loyalty and love to her brother. Sisters pray for their brothers' long life, while brothers express their joy in this feminine solace. 

Types of Rakhis

Rakhis, originally a red thread, today comes in endless varieties, giving a chance for people to search and shop for a unique one each year. Beautifully crafted rakhis studded with precious stones are meant to be preserved for a long time.

Special Rakhis For Children

Children have their own special rakhis, from smaller sizes to heir favourite TV character "roped in" _ be it desi Ganesha, Chota Bheem, Bal Hanuman characters or western Superman and Ben10.

Historic Festival

Apparently, Hindu King Porus refrained from striking Alexander the Great because the latter’s wife had approached this mighty adversary and used the Hindu ritual of tying a rakhi on his hand prior to the battle, urging him not to hurt her husband.

Festival Sans Religion

History is replete with instances of Hindu Rajput and Maratha queens sending rakhis to Mughal kings so as to obtain their reassurance about not attacking their husbands.

A Thread Of Protection

Apparently, the ritual of rakhi was observed by Indrani and Yamuna for their respective brothers Indra and Yama on the advice of sage Brihaspati. Once, Lord Indra was almost vanquished in a long-drawn battle against asuras. When he sought sage Brihaspati's help, the latter suggested the auspicious day of Shravan Purnima for tying a thread of protection on the wrist of Indra, who then attacked the demon with renewed force and routed him.

Krishna and Draupadi

Lord Krishna was once hurt during the war with Kinf Shishupala, and left with a bleeding finger. Seeing this, Draupadi tore a strip of cloth from her sari and tied it to stop the bleeding. Lord Krishna, realising her concern, declared himself bound by her sisterly love. He also promised her he would repay the debt. Many years later, as we all know, Krishna came to her rescue when the Kauravas were attempting to disrobe her.

King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi

The demon king Mahabali was a great devotee of Vishnu. Because of his immense devotion, Vishnu took upon himself the task of protecting Bali's kingdom, and Goddess Lakshmi tied a rakhi on King Bali's wrist.

Nationwide Festival

In north India, Rakhi Purnima is also called Kajri Purnima or Kajri Nami, when wheat or barley is sown. In western regions, the goddess is worshipped and the festival is called Nariyal Purnima. In southern India, the Brahmin community celebrates Avani Avittam, when men recite shlokas and change their janeyu, another sacred thread.

Other Names

Raksha Bandhan is known by other names as well: Vish Tarak or destroyer of venom, Punya Pradayak or bestower of boons, and Pap Nashak or the destroyer of sins.

Tagore Gave It Broader Meaning

For famous Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, rakhi was not only a festival of siblings, but a festival that could unite mankind. In 1905, when the British empire decided to divide Bengal on the basis of caste and religion, Tagore thought of the brilliant idea of using the festival of Raksha Bandhan to remind Hindus and Muslims of their love and brotherhood, so as to form a strong force against the British empire

Favourite Mithai for Rakhi

Rakhi is incomplete without sweets like laddoos, jalebis, kesar burfi, balushai, gulab jamun and rasgullas. Rajasthani ghevar lends a special touch to the occasion... Happy Rakhi to all brothers and sisters!!