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 -
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.
