Raksha Bandhan, Hindi for bond of protection, also called Rakhi, honors the brother-sister relationship without being restricted to actual brothers and sisters or Hindus only – cousins and friends of different religions also celebrate Rakhi, so that the festival has more the character of a friendship celebration that transcends cultural boundaries.
Rakhi is celebrated on the full moon (purnima) of the Hindu month of Shravana, which usually coincides with August. In northern and western India, the festival is therefore also called Rakhi Purnima. In 2009, Raksha Bandhan falls on August 5.
How to Celebrate Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in schools, colleges and at home. Everyone dresses their best and enjoys a family feast after the festivities. Here are the main traditions that are followed on Rakhi:
- The sister ties a rakhi (a holy thread) around the wrist of the brother.
- The brother gives a gift or money to his sister.
- The sister offers sweets to the brother.
Weeks before Raksha Bandhan, shops stock colorful rakhis from plain to elaborate that the sisters can choose from. Many buy in bulk, whereas others make their own rakhis.
Sisters and brothers who don’t live in the same city either mail rakhis and gifts across or exchange electronic rakhis, which are also acceptable. In fact, many websites offer e-rakhis and cards.
The Meaning of Raksha Bandhan
By tying a rakhi, the holy thread, a sister asks for her brother’s protection and love, which he grants by accepting the rakhi and confirms by giving a gift. The bond is sealed (or renewed) by feeding each other sweets.
One of the earliest documented accounts of Raksha Bandhan dates back to the Middle Ages when Rakhi was already associated with protection of the sister. It is said that Queen Padmini asked the Mughal emperor Humayun for help against an invasion by the sultan Mohammad Khilji. Touched by the gesture, Humayan accepted her as his sister and promised help.
The Origins of Raksha Bandhan
At least two mythological events are credited as the origin of Raksha Bandhan. One myth involves the tying of a strip of silk by Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, to Krishna’s bleeding finger. Touched by this gesture of concern, Krishna declared himself bound to her by a brother’s love and in her debt. Years later, Draupadi called on Krishna for help, who kept his promise and helped her against her evil brother-in-law Duryodhana.
The second mythological event is the fight of the king of the gods Indra with the demon Vritra. Indra’s wife Shachi is said to have tied a thread around her husband’s wrist to ensure his victory in the fight. There are many more legends that involve the tying of a holy thread but the two mentioned above are those directly tied to Raksha Bandhan.
A Harmless Thread of Love
Apart from being a happy occasion, Rakhi can also be a disappointment for those young men who hoped for more than friendship but got a rakhi slapped on their wrists by the woman of their dreams – she, however, cleverly puts the brakes on a possibly developing relationship by using the festival as a reminder of the brother-sister status.
Rakhi is also a way for parents worried that their children may become more than friends to remind young men and women of their Rakhi bond. In a country with a population with more than one billion, however, it is doubtful how well this is working but it sure is some sort of reassurance for many parents.
Though Raksha Bandhan is a fun and casual festival that supports the strengthening of societal ties, rakhis should not be tied carelessly as it is a lifelong commitment. Once a rakhi is tied, the brother-sister bond has to be renewed every year on Raksha Bandhan.
Needless to say, with all the gift giving, Raksha Bandhan is also a very lucrative festival, especially for shopkeepers, rakhi makers and sweets shops.
The Hindu Universe and the Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India are good sources for more information on Raksha Bandhan. This article provides popular Rakhi messages and websites for free Raksha Bandhan greetings.
Readers interested in this article may also like to learn more about other Indian traditions like celebrating Indian weddings or Indian baby names for boys.
Simone Preuss - Simone is a freelance writer, editor and translator who decided to go solo after a successful career in publishing. That was more than ...
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