Raksha Bandhan !

Tradition & Customs

Rakhi Festival is celebrated both in India and different parts of world with fervour and enthusiasm. The day is celebrated with sister's tying rakhi on their brother's wrist, performing arti and also praying for their long life. In turn, brothers vow to protect their sisters and come for their rescue in times of need. This custom has been there since time immemorial.

Meaning & Significance of Raksha Bandhan

The Festival

The relationships are the essence of celebration. This holds true for any Indian festival. Each festival brings the families together. That mere togetherness is celebration. It calls for a total festive environment. The celebration of one such relationship is Raksha Bandhan; the celebration of brother sister relationship. The sibling relationship is nowhere so celebrated as in India. The brother sister relationship is no where so worshiped as here. It is this affection and love that is celebrated on the Raksha Bandhan.

Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrating the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. The day when the siblings pray for each others' well being and wish for each others' happiness and goodwill. As the name 'Raksha Bandhan' suggests, 'a bond of protection', Raksha Bandhan is a pledge from brothers to protect the sister from all harms and troubles and a prayer from the sister to protect the brother from all evil.

The festival falls on the Shravan Purnima (full moon day of shravan month) which comes generally in the month of August. The 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. The festival is unique to India creates a feeling of belongingness and oneness amongst the family.

The Significance

Though now it is considered as a brother and sister festival, it was not always so. 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.

Rakhi for many centuries encompassed the warmth shared between the siblings but now it goes way beyond it. Some tie rakhi to neighbors and close friends signifying a peaceful co-existence of every individual. Congregations like Rakhi Utsavs, popularized by Rabindranath Tagore, promote the feeling of unity and a commitment to all members of society to protect each other and encourage a harmonious Social life.

The day has a deeper perspective in today's scenario. The occasion holds for a life long pledge to practice moral, spiritual and cultural 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.

Raksha Bandhan assumes all forms of Raksha or protection, of righteousness and destroyer of all sin. The rakhi tying ritual has become so much a part of the families that come what may brothers and sisters try to reach out to each other on this particular day bringing back the oneness of the family, binding the family together in an emotional bond.

Rakhi Return Gift Traditions

Goddess Laxmi tied rakhi to Raja Bali and he in turn fulfilled her wish to return to her abode with Narayana. King Porus spared Alexander's life as a gift to Alexander's wife who had tied a rakhi to him. Humayun reached out to help Rani Karmawati accepting her rakhi. Thus sending Rakhi return gifts are a part of the Rakhi tradition. The Rakhi Return Gifts are infact the acceptance of the sisterly love.

Another reason for sending the return gifts on rakhi is that sisters come to their parents and brothers. As a custom, she has to be bestowed with gifts when she is going back. This tradition of rakhi return gift took a new form in modern era and became a physical symbol of the brotherly pledge.

Earlier cash was given as gift for rakhi. In earlier ays it could be any thing from Rs1/- to Rs. 11/-, 21/- and so on. Of late the gift articles were send as rakhi return gifts. The gift can be any thing from clothes to decoratives, cosmetics, jewelry boxes or electronic goods.

For children sending chocolates, toys or clothes as a gift is a good idea. For the rest the gifts prefered these days are more practical. People prefer sending useful gifts like decoratives complimenting the house decor, bangle boxes, clothes or any other thing that the brother feels will be of use for the sister.

Sending or gifting Gold souvenir are the current trend as rakhi gifts. Soft toys are adored by young girls. Traditional itra and natural perfumes are another favored gifts. Sending Bracelets, semiprecious stone ornaments or watches remains an evergreen gifts for the young ladies.

On the more emotional side you could send something on raksha bandhan that reminds you of the childhood days, the fun filled, carefree, naughty times spent together.

All one needs is to keep in mind the tastes and interests of sisters while sending the rakhi gifts. Remember to send the gift with sweets, cards or chocolates. Sweet accompaniments are essentials of any festival celebration.