India is a globally known country for its colorful and joyous festivals. Among the various festivals celebrated here, Raksha Bandhan is an occasion to celebrate the sacred and unconditional relation between a brother and a sister. On this auspicious day, sisters tie Rakhi on the wrist of their brotherand pray for their well being.

The simple threads of Rakhi symbolize the sacred love of brother and sister and believed to be strong enough to strengthen the bond day-by-day. When a sister ties a Rakhi on her brother’s wrist, her sentiments flow towards her brother that he should get each and every happiness. At the same time the brother thinks on the same wavelength that at in any cost he would protect the honor of his sister.

Different names of Raksha Bandhan

As per the Hindu calendar, the festival of Rakhi falls on the full moon day of the month of Shravana. In different parts of India, the festival is known by various names like -

• In North and West India, Raksha Bandhan is called Rakhi Purnima.
• In Western Ghats and the adjoining regions Rakhi is called Nariyal Purnima to signify the full moon like coconut.
• In South India, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Avani Avittam / Upakarmam
• Central India celebrates Rakhi as Kajari Purnima.
• Raksha Bandhan is celebrated by the name of Pavitrapana in the western parts of India.

Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is known by different names like Vish Tarak (the destroyer of venom), Punya Pradayak (the bestower of boons), and Pap Nashak (the destroyer of sins).

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is a traditional Indian festival celebrating the bond of love and affection between brothers and sisters. The society and traditions allied with this festival are exclusive and very special in themselves. This is a day to affirm the brother's devotion and the sentiments of a sister's love by the shared emotion and promises made by siblings.

Rakhi Customs & Rituals

The rituals followed by people on the day of Raksha Bandhan is still the same as it was in the ancient period. All the sisters and brothers get up early in the morning and take bath. They wear new clothes on this occasion and get ready for this special festival. People get ready according to the 'shubh Muhurta'.

Sisters decorate a 'pooja thali' especially for the occasion of Rakhi. They keep all the necessary items like Roli for Tilak, Akshat, Diya for performing the Arti of their brother, Sweets and the Rakhi in that beautifully decorated Thali. They begin the ritual by putting Tilak on the forehead of their brother and then stick some of the Akshat to the same Tilak. Then they perform the Arti of their brothers and tie Rakhi, preferably, on the right wrist of their brothers.

Then in turn, the brothers pamper their sisters and bless them. They also give some gifts to their sisters as a token of love. This gift can be either in cash or in kind.