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Home :: Festival tour :: Raksha Bandhan
RAKSHA BANDHAN
FACTS & FIGURES
Time of the year - August
Places to Visit - All over India, especially in North India
Duration - One day
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 Raksha Bandhan |
THE FESTIVAL
Raksha Bandhan is an unspoken pledge exchanged between a brother
and sister cementing their fraternal relationship. This also reinforces
their protective bond against all ills and odds. Raksha Bandhan
is celebrated on the day of Shravan Poornima that falls in the month
of August every year. On this very day, the sisters tie a delicate,
sometimes decorated, thread on the wrist of their brothers as a
symbol of love and affection. This makes the brothers bound to protect
their sisters from any trouble or wound. The chanting of a holy
mantra by the sisters while tying the thread says, "I am tying
a Raksha to you, similar to the one tied to Bali, the powerful king
of the demons. Oh Raksha, be firm, do not waver". The mantra
recalls how the demon king Bali had become very powerful with the
Rakhi on. The power of the mantra is supposed to protect the wearer
from evil influences. This shows how dependent and secure a sister
feels when she has a brother. Tying this Rakhi or Raksha signifies
the re-strengthening of the bond between the siblings of opposite
sexes.
CELEBRATIONS
The brothers get special attention on Raksha Bandhan day. The entire
day is fun filled and full of happiness. The homes are cleaned and
the sisters, taking an early bath, wait for their brothers to get
ready to let their sisters tie the holy thread of Rakhi. The brothers
also present their sisters with gifts after she ties the Rakhi on
her dear brother's wrist.
RITUALS
Raksha Bandhan day starts with a festive mood in every Indian home.
Rakhis are made or bought a day before the festival. Traditional
goodies and dishes are prepared early in the morning. After an early
bath, the offering Puja (worshipping of god) takes place. The sister
then offers "aarti" (a traditional way of worshipping)
to her brother and ties the thread on his right wrist. Traditional
"tilak" or vermilion powder on the forehead of the brother
is put and the brother blesses the sister. The tradition of giving
gifts and presents is also an important part of this festival. The
brother gifts his sister a gift after she ties the Rakhi on his
wrist. This gift acts as a token of love and affection of the brother
towards the sister. Sometimes sisters also demand for a gift of
their own choice to keep it as a loving memory of that very day.
Nevertheless, giving gifts is not a must tradition. The blessing
bestowed by the brother itself is regarded as the biggest gift for
the sisters. Treating her brother along with her entire family,
with the goodies and eatables that has been prepared follows next.
Thus, the normal rituals are followed with great devotion and dedication.
The Rakhi celebration differs from region to region.
LEGENDS
There are many legends that signify the importance of Rakhi in
India. Touching tales of women seeking protection from heroes of
the contemporary period, via the Raksha, abound in the country.
Legend goes that once Indra, the Pauranic King of the Heavens,
while warring with the Daitya-Raaja (demon king) was confronted
with reverses. Humbled, he sought the advice of Brihaspati, the
Guru. On the auspicious occasion of Shravan Poornima, both Shachee
Devi or Indrani, the consort of Indra and Brihaspati, the Guru of
the Gods, tied silken amulets popularly known as Raksha on Indra's
wrist. Subsequently, Indra vanquished the Daitya-Raaja and reestablished
sovereignty over his celestial abode.
It is said that at one time, Alexander's wife approached the mighty
Hindu adversary, Pururaja, and sought assurance of her husband's
life by tying the Rakhi on Pururaja's hand. The story goes that
just as Pururaja raised his hand to deliver a mortal blow to Alexander,
he saw the Raksha and refrained from striking.
In yet another poignant instance, a Rajput princess sent a Rakhi
to the Mughal Emperor Humayun, enlisting his support against the
onslaught of the Gujarat Sultan. Though engaged elsewhere, Humayun
hastened to the rescue of his Rakhi sister but to his bitter disappointment
found that the kingdom had been seized and the princess had committed
"jauhar" to save her honor.
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