Raksha Bandhan, conjoining ceremony for siblings : 1 of the Best sacred Indian festivals
This Raksha Bandhan Festival is one of the long-cherished Hindu festivals associated with the most pious relationship said to exist between brothers and sisters. This festival, which exemplifies brotherly-sisterly love, comes on the full moon day, usually falling in the month of August in Shravan. The festival is marked by tying rakhi on brothers’ wrists, a symbolic thread of fraternal bond between siblings in the form of love, prayer, and goodwill. The brothers, in turn, offer them gifts and promise to take care of them at times of difficulty.
Raksha Bandhan means long-lasting love, care, and mutual respect between siblings.
Be a part of Raksha Bandhan and realise its meaning.
Raksha Bandhan is one of the major and most anciently celebrated festivals in Hinduism, with many mythological and legendary tales regarding it. One of the most famous tales describes the bond between Lord Krishna and Draupadi from the Mahabharatha itself.
He was moved by her concern when Lord Krishna cut his finger, and Draupadi tore a piece from her saree to bandage it. She, in return, promised him that he would be by her side whenever she required protection, which he duly followed in the infamous scene at the royal court at that time when Draupadi’s modesty was at stake. The story thus forms the very base of the Raksha Bandhan tradition where the bond between siblings cannot break.
The other most popular story is of King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi. When Bali became very powerful, gods requested Vishnu to do something. Vishnu incarnated himself as a dwarf and asked Bali for as much land as could be covered in three steps. Bali concurred with this, and now Vishnu’s real form appeared, and in two steps, he covered the whole universe. Bali now offered his head for the third step. She tied a rakhi to his wrist and thus made him her brother so that she may protect him.
All these stories exemplify that the power of the rakhi thread is to bind a brother and a sister in an indissoluble bond of love and care for each other. This rakhi transfigures itself as a symbol regarding the wishes of a sister about her brother’s safety, and the promise of protection of sister from the brother.
##Rituals and Customs of Raksha Bandhan
With Raksha Bandhan, there come a number of the rituals that bond families and make sibling’s relations even stronger
##The Rakhi tying ceremony
The greatest ritual to which Raksha Bandhan evolved is the tying of rakhi. Preparing for this momentous moment, one sees sisters elaborating beautiful rakhis, which are made with beads and stones or, at times, are even made in precious metals. An aarti is performed by the sister upon the arrival of the brother, who ties the rakhi on the right wrist of the brother, praying to God for his long life, along with other prayers.
##Presents and Sweets
Here the brother gives gifts to his sister after the rakhi has been applied, and these can be anything starting from the traditional offering of clothes, jewellery, and sweets to even the latest gadgets and other latest types of electronics available in the market. The brother also gives his sister a sum of money at raksha bandhan; according to the varying traditions, this is what he is supposed to do and is called “rakhi kharcha.”.
On the other hand, sisters make sweet and savoury delicacies to be distributed among their brothers and the rest of the family. This exchange of sweets in giving and receiving sweets marks thanksgiving and strong bonding between siblings.
##Feasting and Celebrations
It is a joyous occasion of celebration, where families come together donned in new attire to relish a sumptuous feast. More often than not, regional or family-specific delicacies in traditional dishes and sweets form a part of it. Children are blessed, and gifts from elders further help in strengthening bonding and community spirit.
##Evolution of Raksha Bandhan
Time to time, the festival of Raksha Bandhan has been improvised to suit the changing times and conditions. The essential values and rituals remain the same, but the festival has taken on modern adaptations.
##Celebrations Across Long Distances
In today’s age of the scattered nucleus, when brothers and sisters may be at great distances from each other, Raksha Bandhan has modified itself in a way that, despite those distances, the sibling relationship can be celebrated still. The sisters mail the rakhis or even send them online to ensure that the thread of protection reaches their brothers wherever they are. Truly speaking, it has made Raksha Bandhan an international celebration as siblings across the world tie rakhis and exchange gifts.
##Inclusive Celebrations
Raksha Bandhan has also become quite inclusive, celebrated by all, regardless of gender or relationships. From being celebrated only between brothers and sisters, the festival extends to cousins, friends, and even pets. The underlying message of the festival still remains the same – the celebration of love and care that two individuals in a special relationship share with one another.
##Charitable Initiatives
Nowadays, Raksha Bandhan festival has become a platform for various philanthropic activities. From NGOs to common people, most of them reportedly started tying rakhis on the wrists of soldiers and police officials. It’s a gesture of gratefulness, thankfulness towards their services and sacrifices. A gesture of standing united to everyone who guards the nation
##The Timeless Appeal of Raksha Bandhan
Although time races on like a bullet and change is intrinsic to our surroundings, there is one festival that never seems to lose its sheen or appeal: Raksha Bandhan, close to hearts all across India and the world. Time just fails to make this occasion old; rather, it functions beautifully in bringing families close and rejoicing over love and care ably housed between siblings.
Raksha Bandhan reminds us of close, strong relations and supporting each other in times of crisis. It inculcates armouries of respect, loyalty, and unconditional love—the virtues that are instrumental in building harmony in society.
While enjoying Raksha Bandhan, remember that he has been a very important person in our lives all through our journey. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with rich heritage and meaning attached to it. We are sure to rejoice this festival with lots of beautiful memories created while celebrating Raksha Bandhan with our siblings.
Raksha Bandhan 2024 falls on Monday, the 19th of August. On the day of Raksha Bandhan, the Muhurat of trouble is between 06:27 AM to 02:25 PM, total duration: 07 hours and 58 minutes. The full moon or Purnima Tithi begins at 05:34 PM on the 18th day of August 2024 and ends at 02:25 PM the following day.
It actually means the auspicious time to tie the rakhi on your brother’s wrist falls sometime between 06:27 AM and 02:25 PM on August 19, 2024. Note, though, that rakhi can be tied at any moment one feels like during the day, as the festival is celebrated throughout the day.
I suggest that we get ready to enjoy this very special and lovely day with all our near and dear ones. From the selection of the fine rakhi to preparation of the best food in the world, we support our brothers/sisters to make it the best day and remember it throughout our lives.