Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan means the bond of protection. Commonly Raksha
Bandhan is known as Rakhi.This festival celebrates the eternal bond of
love between brother and sister. It is an ancient Indian festival. Rakhi
plays a very important role in Hindu festivals.It is known as the day
of Love and bond of protection. Like every other Indian festival, Rakhi
is also celebrated grandly with singing, dancing, and gathering of the
close relatives.
Raksha Bandhan usually comes in August on the full moon
day(Purnima) of Shravana. Rakhi celebrates every brother-sister like
relationship even if men and women are not biologically related. This
day is related to Bhai Duj, Bhai Tika.
Rakhi means a sacred thread which sister ties on her brother's wrist
with lots of love, Care, and also she does prayers for his happiness.
Rakhi shows her unconditional love for her brother. In return, brother
gives her a lifetime unbreakable promise to protect her for her whole
life.
Rituals and Practices
There are certain rituals and practices on how Rakhi is typically celebrated.
Preparations for Rakhi: Rakhi preparations start with the start of August month. Women's start shopping for the occasion of Rakhi(Markets in India gets decorated with the products related to the upcoming festival). Sister gets
the Rakhi from the market that she likes for her brother, she also
brings sweets, gifts etc. Some of the women make their own Rakhi. Many
types of Rakhi are available, Some are a simple colorful thread, or may
be with heavy decoration. For children, Rakhis are decorated with
cartoons, lights or some types of games.
Ritual: The brother and sister come together on this day, All family members celebrate this festival with love. Sister prepares an Aarti thali with a candle(Diya) for puja and puts sweets in it. Sister and Brother sit in front of each other, then sister ties Rakhi on brother's wrist. Sister prays for the good health, wealth, and happiness of her brother. She then does Aarti by rotating the Aarti thali in front of brother's face and prays for his wellness. She then applies tikka, the colorful mark, on his forehead. Then she feeds one or more bites of sweets to her brother. After all the Rakhi rituals, All the family members and relatives hug each other and exchange gifts.
On the day of Rakhi,
Sometimes the brother or sister is geographically far away and can't
celebrate Rakhi together. Then the sister sends Rakhi and cards through
the post with lots of blessings for her brother.
Mythical Origins of Raksha Bandhan
There are various tales about the origins of Raksha Bandhan.
1)Indra Dev: In the war between Gods and Demons, Unfortunately, the demons were in stronger position. Indra(The deity of rain, sky, and thunderbolts) was disgraced by King Bali(Demon king).
Shachi (Indra's wife also known as Indrani) consulted Vishnu, who gave
her a holy bracelet made of cotton thread. Shachi tied that holy thread
around Indra's wrist for his safety. Indra was successful in defeating
the Demons.
This story inspired the protective power of holy
thread. According to this, women gave the holy thread to the men going
to war and prayed for their safety.
2)King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi: As stated in Bhagvata Purna and Vishnu Purna, When Vishnu won the three worlds from Demon King Bali. Bali asked Vishnu to stay with him at his Kingdom. Goddes Lakshmi(Vishnu's wife) didn't
liked to stay in Bali's Kingdom and new friendship of Vishnu with Bali.
So, she tied a Rakhi around Bali's wrist and made him her brother. Bali
asked Lakshmi what gift she desires for. Lakshmi told him to make
Vishnu to be freed. Bali agreed to this request and accepted Lakshmi as
Sister.
3)Krishna and Draupadi: In the epic Mahabharata, Draupadi tied a Rakhi on Krishna's wrist, while Kunti tied a Rakhi on her grandson Abhimanyu's wrist, before the great war.
4)Yama and Yamuna: Yama(God of Death),
had not visited his sister Yamuna for 12 years. Yamuna was sad and
consulted Ganga. Ganga reminded about Yamuna to Yama, upon which Yama
went to visit Yamuna. Yamuna was overjoyed to see him and prepared a
bounty of food for him. Delighted God Yama, asked Yamuna for what she
wanted as a gift. She wished that Yama, her brother should see her again
soon. Yama was moved by this sister's love, he agreed to see her again
and made river Yamuna immortal.
Regional Variations
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in different ways in different regions.
1)West Bengal and Odisha: On
Raksha Bandhan, the people in these regions do prayers and Puja of Lord
Krishna and Radha. Women tie Rakhi on their brother's wrist. In these
regions, this day is also called as Jhulan Purnima.
2)Maharashtra: In Maharashtra, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on coconut day festival(Narali Purnima). According to their rituals, they throw coconuts into the sea as offerings to Lord Varuna(The Hindu God of Sea) and do prayers to get blessings. Sisters tie Rakhi on their brother's wrist.
3)Jammu(Kashmir): In the
northern regions of India, they fly kites on Rakhi and Janmashtami. They
bring kilometers of strong jute string, which is locally called as
"Gatta door" along with numerous kites.