Raksha Bandhan [Rakhi]

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a Hindu festival primarily observed in North India. But now the young generation of South India is seen celebrating this festival. The festival is marked by the tying of a rakhi, or holy thread, by the sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to protect her. Sweets and gifts are then exchanged.

This year, 2011, Raksha Bandhan falls on August 13th, Saturday. Rakhi is basically a sacred thread of protection embellished with the love and affection of a sister for her brother. This frail of thread of Rakhi binds the most beautiful relationship of a brother and sister in an inseparable bond of love and trust. People follow certain custom and tradition to celebrate this festival.

This festival is collectively celebrated by all family members. This is an occasion of family get together. Ladies start the preparation at least a fortnight before the festival. In order to make the day special, they buy rakhis, rakhi gifts, rakhi pooja thalis, sweets, etc for making the day special.

Indian Mythology has a religious story in connection with every celebration. Raksha Bandhan falls on the month of Shravan. This festival finds a mention in most of the epics and its origin can be traced back to the mythological Pouranik times. There are many legends about the Rakhi in Puranas. The most commonly believed is the relation between Draupati and Sri Krishna.

Draupati tore a piece from her sari and tied on Krishna’s wrist when she saw him wounded. Moved from that affectionate gesture, Krishna promised to protect her all her life and considered her as sister. Thus the sister-brother bond is celebrated every year on this auspicious day.

Girls visit brothers and after doing the pooja, applying ‘Tilak’ she ties a colourful Rakhi on his right wrist. She gives him sweets. Then the brother gives her a gift or money and renews the promise of protecting her..

The Rakhi Thali contains a diya, kumkum or tika, rice, sandalwood, incense sticks. In the Raksha bandhan thali, the rakhis are kept along with other things.

Traditional and regional sweets are made on this day. Peda, laddu, balushahi, gulab jamoons, jalebi etc are the common sweets made on this day.