Rakhi is an important Indian festival
that celebrates the relationship shared by a brother and a sister. It stands
for all that is important in the Indian Value system. Since India is a very
big country, the customs and rituals of rakhi celebration undergo a change
from region to region. In fact the festival is even known by different names
in different parts of the country. However, there's unity in this diversity,
for on the same day and date, different regions of India celebrate the same
festival in their own unique style.
In India, celebration of festivals is a part of life. Every festival, be it
Diwali, Holi, New Year, etc, each has its own color filled with beautiful
customs and traditions. And rakhi celebrations is not only about rituals,
customs and traditions that has changed over the period of time. It is the
emotions associated with the festival of rakhi remain the same. Today's
rakhi celebrations are full of gaiety and excitement.
The most popular way of rakhi celebration continues to be the kind where
the sister ties a Rakhi or an amulet around her brother's wrist. Sisters
also pray to God for the well being and success of their brothers. In turn,
brother blesses the sister and vows to protect her till his dying day. The
festival create a mood for shopping like clothes, gift shops, sweets,
chocolates, etc. special rakhi discounts and packages.
Regional Celebration of Rakhi
Celebration of rakhi festival differs from place to place. Few of the most
popular way of rakhi celebration are as follows.
Rakhi Purnima :- The
Rakhi
Purnima, celebrated on the Full moon day of Shravana, is extremely
significant because it is celebrated differently throughout the country. The
reasons may be different, the names altered, the rituals, deviant but one
thing that does not change is the prayer and pledge for protection 'Raksha'.
Avani Avittam :-
Avani
Avittam or Upakramam is also celebrated on the day of the Rakhi
Purnima. It is a ritual that is followed by Brahmins in the southern states
of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Orissa and parts of Maharashtra.
Kajari Navami :-
Kajari
Navami is celebrated in Central India and is extremely significant for
the farmers as it signifies the beginning of the season for sowing barley
and wheat and is thus considered extremely propitious.
Nariyal Purnima :- This festival is particularly celebrated by
fishermen. By virtue of this, the festival is primarily celebrated on the
Western Coast, as India's fish trade is concentrated in that area. It is
very popular in Mumbai, where the Kolis, the fishing tribe celebrates the
festival with much gusto.
Pavitropana :-
Pavitropana
is celebrated with much gaiety in Gujarat and it involves, amongst other
things, tying of the sacred thread around the Shivalinga, the phallic symbol
of the Hindu God Shiva (destroyer of all evil).
