The festival of Rakhi finds its essence and significance in the relationship shared between a brother and a sister. Like any other Indian festival Raksha Bandhan is an occasion that joins families and loved ones together. The celebration of rakhi is the celebration of togetherness and love. The importance given to the sibling relationship is highlighted with the celebration of the festival of raksha bandhan. It is the affection, admiration, love, fondness and respect that is the meaning of rakhi festival. On the day of Rakhi, brothers and sisters pray for each other's well-being and happiness. The meaning of the word raksha bandhan is the 'a bond of protection' as brothers pledge to protect their sisters from all harms and troubles and the sister prays for the protection of her brother from all evil.

The festival of Rakhi falls on the Shravan Purnima (full moon day of shravan month) that generally comes in the month of August. On this day the sisters tie the rakhi thread on the brother's wrist and prays for their well-being and the brothers promise to honor and protect their sisters in thick and thin.

Rakhi Significance
The festival of rakhi has undergone many changes. Although today rakhi celebrations center around the brother-sister relationship, it was not always so. In the olden days the rakhi thread was tied for protection or raksha. Anybody, a wife, a daughter or a mother could tie this rakhi thread. The Rishis tied rakhi on the wrist of the people who came seeking for their blessings. The sages also use to tie this sacred thread to themselves to safe guard them from evil. This day is generally a day when all sins end and blessings are showered on all.

Although rakhi signifies the bond between a brother and a sister but it is also a symbol of warmth and compassion shared between the communities as a whole. Some people tie rakhi to neighbors and close friends signifying the special bond shared between the two.

This day of rakhi reflects the silent pledge of morality, spirituality and respect to values and Indian culture. In every part of India, rakhi day is celebrated in different styles and ways. As people reach out on this day this raksha bandhan becomes a day that binds families in the oneness of this festival.