Raksha Bandhan
We are celebrating the holy festival of
Raksha Bandhan, the day of brothers and sisters.
On this day sisters tie sacred threads around their brothers’ wrists
expressing their sisterly love and affection. In return, the brothers offers their sisters little presents and promise to
protect them and to always be ready to help them.
Raksha means protection or security and bandhan
Raksha means protection or security and bandhan
means bond or relation. Thus, Raksha Bandhan symbolizes
the bond of security and protection between brothers and sisters.
the bond of security and protection between brothers and sisters.
Savitri was very beautiful. One day a King saw her and fell in love
with her at first sight. As he commanded her to come to him
she sought to save her marriage by calling up an old tradition.
She took a piece of string and tied it around the King’s right wrist
saying: “My honorable King, this particular day shall be
the day of brothers and sisters, and through this string we are now
connected as brother and sister. It is the brother’s duty to protect
the sister and present her a gift through which she will have
much joy.” The King ashamedly renounced his desires and promised
Savitri his protection. Since then, women and girls have chosen a “brother”
on Raksha Bandhan Day to be protected and supported by them.
On this day, everybody can choose a brother or a sister to whom
she or he feels close bonds and a sense of true brother- and sisterhood.
The brothers take over the duty to protect and take care about their
sisters lifelong, and the sisters promise their brothers lifelong love,
support and understanding. This day reminds us that the whole
world is one family. All who are around us, all who live on this planet
shall be our brothers and sisters. We should tie the threads of mutual
respect, understanding, protection, care and love around each other’s
wrists with brotherly feelings, and embrace humanity and all living beings
as our brothers and sisters. May this holy occasion of Raksha Bandhan
lead the way toward universal brotherhood. Let us realize that
the only way the world and humankind will survive is through unity.
Moral and ethical discipline, true love and brotherhood throughout
the entire globe only can save the earth from destruction and create
a sustainable and peaceful world for us and our children.
Let us all pray to the Almighty Lord for his blessings and
divine protection for all of us.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full-moon day in the month of Sravana (July-August - This year on 19th Aug). The festival of Raksha Bandhan symbolizes love, affection and the feeling of brotherhood. On this day, sisters tie an amulet, the Rakhi, around the right wrist of their brothers praying for their long life and happiness. Raksha means protection, and in some places in medieval India where women felt unsafe, they tied Rakhi round the wrists of men they could count upon, regarding them as brothers. The tradition of tying a thread or "Rakhi" around the wrist to convey different feelings has been coming down through the ages since the Vedic times.
The practice of Raksha Bandhan was conspicuous with the Rajputs and history is replete with instances related to the significance of this tradition. At the time of war when the brave Rajput soldiers prepared to go to the battlefield, the women folk followed the ritual of tying a thread around their wrist after applying a dash of vermilion powder (kumkuma) on their forehead. This was considered a sign of good omen and the ladies believed that it would protect their men from the enemy's blow and bring them victory.
Over time however, the significance of rakhi moved on from battlefields to personal relations reflecting the bond of affection. Sisters tie Rakhis to their brothers asking for protection. While the sisters also prayed for their brothers' welfare, the latter vowed to take care of them even if it called for some sacrifice on their part. On the day of Raksha Bandhan, there is a lot of excitement among the girls. After an early bath, the sister invites her brother to wear the Rakhi and reaffirm the bond of love. She applies tilak or vermilion powder on his forehead and ties the Rakhi on the right hand. She then perf orms aarti and offers her brother some sweets. After she completes the traditional formalities, the brother gives her a gift as a token of his love and affection. It could be in the form of jewelry, new clothes, money or blessings too!
Happiness and excitement mark the celebration of Raksha Bandhan especially for young girls and women. Preparations for the festival begin well in advance. The markets wear a festive look with the colorful, ornate and dazzling Rakhis hanging loose or put on display for sale in shops that specially come up for this occasion. Sweet marts also sell a variety of sweets for the festival. The Rakhi thread, which was simple and unostentatious, gradually began to be embellished with beads, semi-precious stones, colored or golden/silver threads, satin ribbons, floral motifs etc. Some of the Rakhis are very ostentatious and others have a simple, yet aesthetic look. Rakhis are available in different sizes, colors and shapes from the typical ro und ones to heart shaped, symbolizing the bond of love. Every year some novel ideas are introduced in the design of Rakhis. They come with small painted faces or made of spices like cardamoms and cloves or grains of rice, corn etc, perhaps to add more spice, color, and variety to the traditional Rakhi. Sometimes Rakhis have tiny dolls made of fabric, straw or paper stuck on them. The myriad range of Rakhis is breathtaking and often the buyers who flock to these shops are left dazed at the display. The girls want to make the best choice and pick the most ornate pieces. After all it will adorn their brothers' wrists!
