Happy Raksha Bandhan!!!

Raksha Bandhan (Marathi: Hindi: ) is also called Rakhi Purnima or simply Rakhi or "Rakhri", in many parts of India. The same festival is celebrated as Janai Purnima in Nepal.

The festival is a Hindu festival and is also a secular festival which celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters. The festival is also popularly used to celebrate any brother-sister relationship between men and women who are relatives or biologically unrelated.

The festival is also observed by Jains as a religious festival, as on Raksha Bandhan, Jain priests give threads to devotees.

The festival is also celebrated by many communities as a secular festival. This secular aspect is observed among all people, irrespective of their religion, in West Bengal and Punjab. Various fairs are held in Punjab to mark the occasion.

Relationships are the essence of any festivity and it holds true for any Indian festival. Each occasion brings the family together which calls for a celebration. Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of one such relation - that of a brother and a sister. This relationship is no where so celebrated as in India. Raksha Bandhan is a festival which celebrates the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. It is a day when siblings pray for each others' well being and wish for each others' happiness and goodwill.

The name 'Raksha Bandhan' suggests 'a bond of protection'. On this auspicious day, brothers make a promise to their sisters to protect them from all harms and troubles and the sisters pray to God to protect their brother from all evil. The festival falls on the Shravan Purnima which comes generally in the month of August. Sisters tie the silk thread called Rakhi on their brother's wrist and pray for their well being and brothers promise to take care of their sisters.

History

1. The origin of Raksha Bandhan comes from the ancient times when Indrani tied a thread given to her by Lord Vishnu around her husband Lord Indra's wrist to protect him from demons during the war between the Gods and demons.

2. Another story believes that demons won the war and captured heaven. Lord Indra, who was unhappy about this, complained to Brihaspati (guru of the gods), who then prepared a raksha sutra and told him to wear it for protection.

3. The promise of protection was seen in the Mahabharat too. It is believed that once Lord Krishna cut his finger and was bleeding profusely. Seeing this, Draupadi tore a part of her sari and tied it around his finger. This is believed to be the reason why he saved her during her cheerharan by Kaurava.

4. Rakhi saved Alexander The Great's life. When he had invaded India, his wife Roxana had sent a rakhi to the Katoch King Porus and he had vowed to protect her and her husband. So, on the battlefield when he was about to kill Alexander he saw the rakhi and refrained from killing him.

5. The most significant story of the dedication of a brother's promise if that of Emperor Humayun who went with his troops to Mewar when Rani Karnavati who ruled the region then asked for his help. Mewar had been attacked twice by Bahadur Shah and as a ray of hope she sent a letter to Humayun with a rakhi asking for his help. The emperor who was between a military campaign then left everything to go and protect her.

The Significance

Raksha Bandhan is now considered as a day to celebrate the sacred relation of a brother and a sister. Yet there have been examples in history where in rakhi has just been a raksha or protection. It could be tied by wife, a daughter or mother. The Rishis tied rakhi to the people who came seeking their blessings. The sages tied the sacred thread to themselves to safe guard them from the evil. It is by all means the 'Papa Todak, Punya Pradayak Parva' or the day that bestows boons and end all sins as it is mentioned in the scriptures.

Previously, Rakhi festival encompasses the warmth shared between the siblings but now it goes way beyond it. Some people tie Rakhi to neighbours and close friends signifying a peaceful co-existence of every individual. Rakhi Utsav was first popularized by Rabindranath Tagore to promote the feeling of unity and a commitment to all members of society to protect each other and encourage a harmonious Social life.

In today's scenario, the day has a different perspective. The occasion involves a pledge of life-time practice of moral, cultural and spiritual values. The values and the sentiments attached to the rituals of this festival are worth inculcating by the whole human race, the sentiments of harmony and peaceful coexistence. The festival of Raksha Bandhan assumes all forms of Raksha or protection, of righteousness and destroyer of all sin. The ritual of Rakhi tying has become so important that come what may, brothers and sisters try to visit each other place on this particular day tin order to bring back the oneness of the family, binding the family together in an emotional bond of love.

Importance

Around mid-August, Hindus all over the world celebrate Raksha bandhan. "Raksha" means protection, and "bandhan" means bound or binding.

In North India, the occasion is popularly called Rakhi, Raksha Bandhan or Rakshaa Bandhan- the tying of an amulet.

In ancient times a woman tied a 'rakshaa' on her husband's wrist to protect him from evil. Gradually this changed; she tied a 'rakshaa' on her brother's right wrist, to protect him from evil influence and those factors which may taint his character, and to strengthen the bond of sibling love between them. On the occasion of Rakshaa Bandhan she visits her brother's home and performs his 'pujan' by applying kumkum and rice grains on his forehead. In return the brother gives her a gift and vows to protect her too. The 'rakhadi' for rakshaa bandhan itself ranges from a coloured cotton string to exquisitely decorated balls of various sizes and materials such as fluffy cotton, 'zari' paper, tinsel, beads and so on.

On Rakshaa Bandhan a second imortance relates to 'Baleva' and our devotion to the Lord. Just as Bali Raja offered devotion to Lord Narayan by sacrificing his kingdom and himself, devotees should endeavor to emulate him. That is the true spirit of Baleva.

Rakshaa bandhan day is important for the priests too, as they tie rakhis on their patrons wrist and in return receive offerings from them. In some parts of the country it is customary to draw figures on the walls of their home and worship them with offerings of vermilion and kheer. The imprints of palms are also put on either side of the entrance and rakhis are stuck on them as part of rakshaa bandhan rituals. Some parts of India also reserve Rakshaa Bandhan day importance for the sacred thread changing ceremony when the young brahmin boys discard the old one and don a new one ritualistically. However, on rakshaa bandhan it is the emotions which are important. The rakshaa bandhan ceremony performed is the symbolic everlasting bond between brothers and sisters that reinforces ties between them even across continents, and it is the one which has the most importance on this auspicious day.

Rakhi is basically a sacred thread of Rakhi is basically a sacred thread of protection embellished with the love and affection of a sister for her brother. This day is also known as Raksha Bandhan and celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana in India. This frail of thread of Rakhi is considered as stronger than iron chains as it binds the most beautiful relationship in an inseparable bond of love and trust. Rakhi festival also has a social significance because it underlines the notion that everybody should live in harmonious coexistence with each other.

Not a single festival in India is complete without the typical Indian festivities, the gatherings, celebrations, exchange of sweets and gifts, lots of noise, singing and dancing. Raksha Bandhan is a regional celebration to celebrate the sacred relation between brothers and sisters. Primarily, this festival belongs to north and western region of India but soon the world has started celebrating this festival with...

How it is celebrated in India

Gifts are an integral part of Rakhi celebrations. As per Indian tradition, Rakhi gifts are given by elder brothers to the sisters in acceptance of their raksha. They bless their sisters after the thread tying ceremony and give gifts. In the case of younger brothers, it is the sisters who give them gifts along with the Rakhi. The gifts given on Rakhi include sweets, dry fruits or clothes etc.

Rakhi in India is one of the most important festival and is celebrated with faith and enthusiasm. Rakhi festival in India is essentially celebrated by brothers and sisters and intends to strengthen the eternal bond of love shared by them. Rakhi is celebrated all over India and amongst all sections of Hindu society. Rakhi celebrations are however more prominent in North India.

Number of legends are associated with the ancient festival of Raksha Bandhan. A popular legend of Rakhi from Bhavishya Puran narrates the story of Indra and Indrani. It says that once Lord Indra was facing reverses in battle against demons led by King Bruta. At this stage Indra sought help of Guru Brihaspati. The sage advised him to tie a sacred thread powered by mantras on the auspicious day of Shravan Purnima. Following the suggestion, Indra's consort Indrani tied the sacred thread on Indra's wrist on the decided time. The Rakhi helped Gods win the battle against the demons. From then on sisters' began to tie a Rakhi on their brother's wrist on the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan.

There are simple but set customs and traditions for Rakhi Day. People wake up early and take bath to purify their mind and soul. Sisters along with the mother prepare festive food including a sweet dish. A sister then arranges the customary Rakhi Puja Thali consisting of Rakhi, Tika, Mithai, Diya besides other traditional puja items to carry out the ceremony. At the opportune time she ties Rakhi on her brother's wrist, apply tika on his forehead and perform arti of him. Praying for her brother's long life sister puts a sweet in bhaiya's mouth. Brother reciprocates by presenting Rakhi Return Gifts to sister and promises to guard her against all hardships in life. This simple Rakhi ceremony symbolizes and strengthens the eternal bond of love between a brother and sister.

In India, celebrations for Rakhi begin a month before the festival. Markets wear a festival look as colorful Rakhi stall mushroom in every nook and corner of the country. Brothers and sisters staying away from home start making plans for a visit to home. For them Raksha Bandhan is the time for family reunion.

On the day of Rakhi spirit of the people is high and there is a general atmosphere of harmony and bliss. All family members gather and carry out the traditional customs of the day with joy and enthusiasm. Later, everyone relishes the best of food and have a good time.

Auspicious day of Rakhi Purnima is celebrated all over India though under different names and with different set of rituals. In North India, the festival is popularly celebrated as Raksha Bandhan. On this day sisters tie a sacred thread of Rakhi on brother's wrist and pray for his long life. Brothers' bless their sister and present them gifts. Regional names of Rakhi in rest of India include Nariyal Purnima, Avani Avittam and Balev. Read on to know more about these.

Narial Poornima or Coconut Full Moon: The festival of Rakhi is also known as Narial Poornima or Coconut Full Moon. On Mumbai's famous beaches, coconuts are thrown into the sea to propitiate the Sea God, Varuna, who is the chief object of worship on this occasion.

Avani Avittam: Rakhi is called Avani Avittam in South India. This is the time of "upakarmam" and is celebrated in various ways all over South India. It falls on the full-moon day of the month of Shravan (August-September). Rakhi forms an important Hindu festival in South India.

Balev: Rakhi is also commonly known known Balev. This festival has special significance among Brahmins as it is the day on which Brahmins change their sacred thread. On Shravan Sud 15 when the moon is in the constellation of Shravan the Brahmins, while changing their sacred thread, rededicate themselves to study the vedas and pursue spiritual upliftment.