Thursday, August 6, 2009


RAKSHABANDHAN

India is a country rich of festivals. Its culture is so rich that it celebrates a festival almost every month. In fact, India is globally known for its colourful festivals and ever-green tradition. Moreover, people of India are so lively that they celebrate each and every festival with lot of enthusiasm. One of such festival is Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan, which strengthens and celebrates the precious bond shared between a brother and a sister. Like any other festival, rakhi has its unique significance.

Raksha Bandhan - the bond of protection is a Hindu festival, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters.Raksha Bandhan is celebrated every year on 'Shravan Purnima' (Full Moon Day of the Hindu month of Shravan), which generally falls in the month of August.

Rakhi is basically a sacred thread of protection embellished with the love and affection of a sister for her brother. Raksha Bandhan is a festival which On the auspicious day of Rakhi, sisters wake up in the morning, take bath, offer prayers to the Almighty and visit their brothers to perform the rituals of Rakhi. The ritual of Raksha Bandhan essentially includes tying of sacred thread (which is called 'Rakhi' or 'Raksha Sutra') by the sisters, on their brothers' wrist.


Before tying Rakhi, the sisters would perform an aarti, apply tilak (by mixing rice grains and roli) on their brother's forehead. The brother and sister traditionally feed sweets to each other. Sisters bestow their brothers with gifts and blessings. Brothers also wish them a good life and pledge to take care of them. After the ritual of tying Rakhi is over, the brothers would give their sisters some gift or money and promise them to help them when ever they need and protect them throughout their lifetime. In fact, offering gifts to sisters is a tradition of Raksha Bandhan. Year by year, the enthusiasm amongst the brothers and their sisters, to celebrate the festival, is increasing.

It is clearly visible from the wide variety of Rakhi, Raksha Bandhan gifts and sweets flocking the shelves of the stores, during the holiday.

Rakshabandhan bears social significance, because it symbolizes the importance of relationship between siblings.

Though brothers and sisters share and enjoy the bond of love between them throughout the year, but Rakhi is the day when they get an opportunity to express their tender love and feelings for each other. Rakhi also makes them commemorate their loving memories, loyalty, closeness, trust and friendship that is ever lasting and pure.




The day of Raksha Bandhan has over a period of time gained tremendous importance in India. On this occasion, people cut across manmade barriers like religion, caste, and color, and reach out to each other. This display of oneness is what makes Raksha Bandhan special and one of the most important festivals of India.

The day is all about raksha or protection, not just for self but for the dear ones, for peaceful existence of the human race. Each ritual that is followed has significance. The sisters seek love from their brothers; the brothers seek courage and endurance. Rakshabandhan is a festival that dictates the values of brotherhood and self-perseverance.




24 comments:

abdul hai said...

Nice way of presenting image of rakhshabandhan

pradipwritenow said...

Apart from being a festival between brothers and sisters this day is also celebrated in the eastern part of India between friends. Rabindranath Tagore opposed the divison of united Bengal and tied Rakhis topeople of all religion. Even today Rakhis is also observed as freindship day.

Arshia Ali said...

Bhai bahen ka pyaar.
Raksha bandhan ka tyohar.
{ Treasurer-TSALIIM & SBAI }

Rajesh said...

This is one I missed much by not having an sis, which was compensated to some extent by my cousin. You have beautifully presented the essence of it.

R. Ramesh said...

thanks friend..i am also lucky to have across interesting friends like u...cheers and all best wishes

Sucharita Sarkar said...

Nice description of this lovely Indian tradition.

JP said...

Great post, you expressed very well on our culture.

M VERMA said...

very interesting presentation of the article about 'Raksha Bandhan'. Images are so nice I am unable to say anything about that.
very nice post

BK Chowla, said...

Yes it is a very special festival.In this fast world it is better to cach up at least during festivals.What worries me is that some people complete Rakhi as a formality

G S Pillai said...

hi Babli!
quite a colourful life indeed that we have got in India,yes.
I esp like the artwork you have put up on main page. what style is it? who is the artist, what is it called?

R. Ramesh said...

thanks friend...

angel in disguise.... said...

nice post and apt pictures...
happy raksha bandhan!

Rush said...

cool.. a post on raksha bandhan, hope u had a great one!!

GMG said...

Hi Babli! Lovely blog you have here! I'm always learning while surfing the blogosphere!!

Thanks for your visiit and first time comment at Blogtrotter Revival 902. Glad that you liked this old blog. You probably will also enjoy the more updated Blogtrotter. Have a great week!!

R. Ramesh said...

thanks again..my dear friend...

George said...

Thank you for this information about a very interesting festival. Thank you, too, for visiting my site.

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Jeevan said...

Your description makes certain the relationship beautiful and stimulates a sense to have a sister to share bond and love. The pictures along with your words displaced the procedure well! Lovely post and it well deserves our colorful culture :)

GMG said...

Hi Babli!
Thanks for your comment at Blogtrotter, which has some more Rural Iceland before the Blue Lagoon. Enjoy and have a fabulous week!

nsiyer said...

Great concept which unifies all of us in the country.A SECURE FEELING OF PROTECTION AND A FEELING THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE.

Destiny's child... said...

nice pictures and a very apt post for the festive mood of raksha bandhan...hope u had a nice one..:)

Unknown said...

You could make Rakhi even more special by picking a very distinctive kind of Rakhi for your brother on Raksha Bandhan this year. Rakhi Thalis and Rakhi threads are available in various colors, as are designer Rakhis made out of gold.

You can also shop Raksha Bandhan greeting gifts and cards online at 'Post My Greetings'. To know more on Raksha Bandhan cards and greetings - http://www.postmygreetings.com/gifts-with-cards/gifts

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