!!~!! RakshaBandhan Ki Shubhkamnaye !!~!!

poonam

@Angel_Luv

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Posted: 6 years ago

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x_3e41cf5b photo x_3e41cf5b_zpsaec7f155.gif

⭐️R . A . K . H . I⭐️

R : Relationship
A : Affection
K : Knitting together
H : Him (Brother) & Her (Sister)
I : Interminably

Brothers r truly a sister's strength! Recognizing all the brothers out there on this auspicious day. Wishing them and their sisters a very Happy Raksha Bandhan - A bond that lasts an eternity

Image result for chocolates gift hampers

A love between a brother and sister is one of the deepest &

noblest of human emotions.Raksha Bandhan is a special

occasion to celebrate this emotional bonding when sister

ties a rakhi- holi thread around her brother's wrist & prays

for his long life

Wishing All The Sweet Brothers And Sisters From All Over The World a Very Happy Raksha Bandhan

Edited by Angel_Luv - 6 years ago

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poonam

@Angel_Luv

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Posted: 6 years ago

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What is Raksha Bandhan?
Source: http://www.raksha-bandhan.com/rakhi-the-thread-of-love.html
In India, festivals are the celebration of togetherness, of being one of the family. Raksha Bandhan is one such festival that is all about affection, fraternity and sublime sentiments. It is also known as Raksha Bandhan which means a 'bond of protection'. This is an occasion to flourish love, care, affection and sacred feeling of brotherhood.

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 the same verse and spirit. Rakhi has become an integral part of those customs.

An insight of Rakhi Rituals
On the day of Rakhi, sisters prepares the pooja thali with diya, roli, chawal, rakhi thread and sweets. The ritual begins with a prayer in front of God, then the sister ties Rakhi to her brother and wishes for his happiness and well-being. In turn, the brother acknowledge the love with a promise to stand by his sister through all the good and bad times.

Sisters tie Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers amid chanting of mantras, put roli and rice on his forehead and pray for his well-being. She bestows him with gifts and blessings. In turn, brothers also wish her a good life and pledges to take care of her. He gives her a return gift. The gift symbolizes the physical acceptance of her love, reminder of their togetherness and his pledge. The legends and the reference in history repeated, the significance of the festival is emphasized.

Unconditional Bond of Love
Raksha bandhan has been celebrated in the same way with the same traditions for many years. Only the means have changed with the changing lifestyle to make the celebration more elaborate and lively. This day has an inherent power that pulls the siblings together. The increasing distances evoke the desire to be together even more. All brothers and sisters try to reach out to each other on this auspicious day. The joyous meeting, the rare family get-together, that erstwhile feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood calls for a massive celebration.

For everyone, it is an opportunity to reunion and celebrate. People also share tasty dishes, wonderful sweets and exchange gifts. It is a time to share their past experiences also. For those who are not able to meet each other, rakhi cards and e-rakhis and rakhis through mails perform the part of communicating the rakhi messages. Hand made rakhis and self-maderakhi cards are just representation of the personal feelings of the siblings.

This is the story behind Raksha bandhan in detail
When the demon King Bali's devotion won over Lord Narayan, he was compelled to leave his abode, Vaikunth, to stay in Bali's kingdom in Sutal. When Lord Narayan failed to return, his distressed consort Lakshmi arrived in Sutal on Shravan Purnima. She accepted Bali as her brother by tying a raksha on him. In return, Bali asked her to wish for a boon. She requested Narayan's return. She grieved that despite having a consort she was experiencing premature widowhood in Narayan's absence. However, the Lord had pledged to eternally protect Bali, by guarding his door. To resolve his dilemma, Brahma and Shiva agreed to guard Bali for four months each, while Vishnu (Narayan) would guard him for the auspicious four months - Chaturmaas - beginning from Ashadh Shudh Ekadashi and terminating on Kartik Shudh Ekadashi, usually from Mid-July to Mid-November. The festival of Raksha Bandhan commenced when Lakshmiji tied the 'rakhadi' ('rakhee' in Hindi) on Bali Raja. Since Bali Raja offered devotion by sacrificing everything to the Lord, the day is also known as 'Bali-eva' or 'Baleva' for short..A Mahabharata Tale The origin of the festival is mostly attributed that of Draupadi and Krishna during the Rajsuya Yaga. According to the legend, after Shishupal's death, Krishna was left with a bleeding finger. Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas comes forward, tears a strip of silk sari and ties it around Krishna's wrist to staunch the flow of blood. Touched by her concern, Krishna declares himself bound to her by her brotherly love. He promises to repay the debt manifold at an appropriate time (Needless to say, Lord Krishna has helped Pandavas during various phases all through the Mahabarath, particularly in the Kurukshetra episode). After a lapse of several years when Draupudi was about to be shamed by being disrobed in front of the whole court by her evil brother in law Duryodhana, she prayed Lord Krishna to help her and did by divinely elongating her sari so that it could not be remove.
Before the battle of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna told Yudhisthir, elder Pandava brother, to perform rakhi ceremony which would act as a shield for him and his army. Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, tied a thread on Lord Krishna's wrist, seeking his blessings for her husbands.

Historically speaking, Yamuna, the sister of Lord Yama (the God of Death) ties Rakhi to her brother Lord Yama. Touched with her love, Lord Yama bestowed immortality to her and declares that who so ever ties the Rakhi thread to their brother will be blessed.

Divine side of Raksha-Bandhan...

Real love neither puts up barriers nor harbors any prejudices. Love is the epitome of freedom and power' but only when grounded in purity and principles. The festival of "Raksha Bandhan" speaks volumes about this loving relationship that nurtures, protects and uplifts. Although the present era has modernized the festival immensely, its simple and significant meaning exists incognito.

A number of legends are connected with tying of the "Rakhi" thread ' symbolizing the bond of love and protection ' but the most intriguing one is where the deities ("devatas") are said to have lost their heavenly kingdom to the devils ("asuras"). Lord Indra's (King of the Devatas) wife applies "tilak" on his forehead and ties him a Rakhi, before he sets out for war to regain the lost sovereignty. In time, the deities gain victory and return to heaven.

How is this fable applicable to us? Are only sisters or females in need of protection? Does fear arise from only external sources? Wouldn't God - our Beloved Supreme Parent, Teacher, Sat Guru - be a more effective and loyal Protector? The Rakhi is undoubtedly the only bondage that truly frees us from all insecurities, fear and sorrow. And it is God alone who shares the wisdom behind tying the sacred Rakhi or rather, taking a vow.

We often forget our true identity of being an infinitesimal point of the divine energy ' soul, "Atman", "Rooh", spirit. We get entangled in the web or bondages of the vices (lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego).

These enemies overpower us and influence us to perform negative actions, which in turn cause sorrow. God comes to awaken and enlighten the inner being and teaches us how to regain our lost sovereignty.

When the "tilak" of soul-consciousness is applied and a person takes the pledge to stay in his original nature of peace, love, purity, wisdom, mercy, his every thought, word and action become elevated and divine. You tend to see every other being as a child of God, as his family. This unlimited vision of brotherhood breaks all barriers of caste, creed, gender, religion and superstitions. You can then live by true self-respect and help others do the same.

The more you purify your consciousness, the stronger is your connection with God. God is then bound to look after you. Your positive actions ensure that you receive His blessings and good wishes from all souls; these work as your protection and stay with him for eternity. Let us all bind ourselves in this Spiritual "bandhan" (binding) - the bond that liberates us from all bondages...

Edited by Angel_Luv - 6 years ago

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poonam

@Angel_Luv

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Posted: 6 years ago

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Rakhi greetings, wishes and comments for Orkut, Myspace

Historical story behind Raksha Bandhan

1. Krishna and Draupadi

Another incident from the epic Mahabharat concerns Krishna and Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. She had once torn a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist to staunch the bleeding from a battlefield wound. Krishna was touched by her action and declared her to be his sister, even though they were unrelated. He promised to repay the debt and then spent the next 25 years doing just that. Draupadi, in spite of being married to five great warriors and being a daughter of a powerful monarch, trusted and depended wholly on Krishna. Krishna repaid the debt of love during the "Cheer-Haran" (literally "clothing-removing") of Draupadi, which occurred in the assembly of King Dhritarashtra when Yudhisthira lost her to the Kauravas in gambling. At that time, Krishna indefinitely extended her saree through divine intervention, so it could not be removed, to save her honor. This is how he honored his rakhi vow towards Draupadi.

2.King Bali and Goddess Laxmi

According to a legend the Demon King Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu

had taken up the task to guard his kingdom leaving his own abode in Vaikunth. Goddess Lakshmi wished to be with her lord back in her abode. She went to Bali disguised as a woman to seek refuge till her husband came back.

During the Shravan Purnima celebrations, Lakshmi tied the sacred thread to the King. Upon being asked, she revealed who she was and why she was there. The king was touched by her goodwill for his family and her purpose and requested the Lord to accompany her. He sacrificed all he had for the Lord and his devoted wife.

Thus devotion to the Lord. It is said that since then it has been a tradition to invite sisters in Shravan Purnima for the thread tying ceremony or the Raksha Bandhan

3. Yama and the Yamuna

According to another legend, Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) and his sister Yamuna, (the river in northern India). Yamuna tied rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. Yama was so moved by the serenity of the occasion that he declared that whoever gets a rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection, will become immortal.

Alexander the Great and King Puru

According to one legendary narrative, when Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 BC, Roxana (or Roshanak, his wife) sent a sacred thread to Porus, asking him not to harm her husband in battle. In accordance with tradition, Porus, a Katoch king, gave full respect to the rakhi. On the battlefield, when Porus was about to deliver a final blow to Alexander, he saw the rakhi on his own wrist and restrained himself from attacking Alexander personally.

4. Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun

A popular narrative that is centered around Rakhi is that of Rani Karnavati of Chittor and Mughal Emperor Humayun, which dates to 1535 CE. When Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of the king of Chittor, realised that she could not defend against the invasion by the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a Rakhi to Emperor Humayun. Touched, the Emperor immediately set off with his troops to defend Chittor.[18] Humayun arrived too late, and Bahadur Shah managed to sack the Rani's fortress. Karnavati, along with a reported 13,000 other women in the fortress, carried out Jauhar on March 8, 1535, killing themselves to avoid dishonor while the men threw the gates open and rode out on a suicidal charge against Bahadur Shah's troops. When he reached Chittor, Humayun evicted Bahadur Shah from fort and restored the kingdom to Karnavati's son, Vikramjit Singh.[19] Although contemporary commentators and memoirs do not mention the Rakhi episode and some historians have expressed skepticism about it, it is mentioned in one mid-seventeenth century Rajasthani account.

Other festivals on this day

In southern & Central parts of India including Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Orissa, this day (i.e. Shravan Poornima day), is when the Brahmin community performs the rituals of Avani Avittam or Upakarma.

1. Balarama Jayanti

This is also celebrated as Shri Baladeva birth Ceremony. Lord Krishna's elder Brother Prabhu Balarama was born on this Poornima.

2. Raksha Bandhan celebrations in India and Nepal

While Raksha Bandhan is celebrated all over the country, different parts of the country mark the day in different ways.

In Nepal, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on shravan purnima. It is also called Janai Purnima (Janai is sacred thread and purnima means full moon). Janai is changed in this day, in Brahmins and Kshetry families. A sacred thread is tied on wrist by senior family members and relatives. Nepalese people enjoy this festival, eating its special food "Kwati", a soup of sprout of seven different grains.

3. Rakhi Purnima

Rakhi is celebrated as Rakhi Purnima in North India. The word "Purnima" means a full moon night.

4. Gamha Purnima

Rakhi is also celebrated as Gamha Purnima in Orissa. On this date, all the domesticated Cows and Bullocks are decorated and worshipped. Various kinds of country-made cakes called Pitha and sweets mitha are made and distributed within families, relatives and friends. In Orissan Jagannath culture, the lord Krishna & Radha enjoy the beautiful rainy season of Shravana starting from Shukla Pakhya Ekadashi (usually 4 days before Purnima) and ending on Rakhi Purnima with a festival called Jhulan Yatra. Idols of Radha-Krishna are beautifully decorated on a swing called Jhulan, hence the name Jhulan Yatra.

5 Narali Purnima

In western India and parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa this day is celebrated as Narali Purnima. On this day, an offering of a coconut (naral in Marathi) is made to the sea, as a mark of respect to Lord Varuna, the God of the Sea. Narali Purnima marks the beginning of the fishing season and the fishermen, who depend on the sea for a living, make an offering to Lord Varuna so that they can reap bountiful fish from the sea.[30]

6. Jandhyam Poornima

Jandhyam is Sanskrit for sacred thread, and Poornima denotes the full moon in Sanskrit.

The people of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, celebrate Raksha Bandhan and Janopunyu on the Shravani Purnima, it is a day on which people change their janeu or (sacred thread). On this day, the famous Bagwal fair is held at Devidhura in district Champawat. Punyu in Kumauni means Purnima or full moon it is the purnima in which the sacred thread Janeu or Janyo is ceremonially changed. The Raksha Bandhan celebrations are similar all across North India. The thread changing ceremony is done all over India.

In parts of Gujarat, this day is celebrated as Pavitropana. On this day, people perform the grand pooja or the worship of Lord Shiva. It is the culmination of the prayers done throughout the year.

7. Jhulan Purnima, Poonal/Jandhya Poornima/ Janyu

According to Bengali Culture & Celebration, in the state of West Bengal (India), this day is also called Jhulan Purnima there pray & puja of Lord Krishna & Radha. Sister tied rakhi to Brother and bestowed immortality. Political Parties, Offices, Friends, Schools to colleges, Street to Palace celebrate today with a new hope for a good relationship. Brahmins in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Konkan, and Orissa change their sacred threads on the same day (Janayu, called as Poonal in Tamil, Jandhyam in Sanskrit).

The strong bond represented by Rakhi has resulted in innumerable political ties among kingdoms and princely states. The pages of Indian history testify that the Rajput and Maratha queens have sent Rakhis even to Mughal kings who, despite their differences, have assuaged their Rakhi-sisters by offering help and protection at critical moments and honoured the fraternal bond. Even matrimonial alliances have been established between kingdoms through the exchange of Rakhis. History has it that the great Hindu King Porus refrained from striking Alexander, the Great because the latter's wife had approached this mighty adversary and tied a Rakhi on his hand, prior to the battle, urging him not to hurt her husband.