Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi)

Raksha Bandhan is a festival that honours the unbreakable tie that exists between siblings. It literally means'safety' and'bond,' and it's a tribute to the unbreakable bond that exists between siblings. The vow to always be there for you, to always defend you, no matter what. It's a celebration of the pure affection that can only come from a sibling. The celebration is a time-honored protection ceremony, the best present siblings can give to one another.


Most of the event is held in Northern India. Rakshabandhan's history goes back to the mythology of Hinduism. According to Hindu legend, Draupadi, a famous Indian epic, twisted the corners of her sari in Mahabharata so that the wrist of Lord Krishna could not bleed (he had inadvertently hurt himself).


Significance

In mediaeval India, when women feel insecure, Raksha is protection, and certain locations are tied up with Rakhi on the handles of males, considered to be brothers. This enhances Rakhi's love-bond between siblings and restores emotional bonding.

Ritual (pooja, vrat etc.)

 Brothers and sisters wear new clothing and watch the celebration in the presence of their parents, older men and grandparents on the day of Raksha Bandhan. The ceremony consists of lighting a diya or an earthen light that shows the fire-deity and the sisters' performance of aarti. They pray for their brother's well-being and place a "tilak" on the brothers' foreheads. A part of the sweet and dessert or dried fruit is served to the brother and the rakhi is ultimately wrapped around the brother's wrist.

Celebrations

In many ways and styles people celebrate the Raksha Bandhan Festival. The event is celebrated by the people living in different areas of India in diverse ways. This is an opportunity which respects the love and the obligation among the children and falls under the Hindu calendar month of Shravana, equal to the Gregorian calendar in August.
 

Raksha Bandhan in North India

This event takes place primarily in the northern region of India, with people from different states such as Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and other countries living there. In various locations the celebration of this event involves the following:

Buying of Rakhi

Performing Rakhi Rituals

Brothers and sisters wear new clothing and watch the celebration in the presence of their parents, older men and grandparents on the day of Raksha Bandhan. The ceremony consists of lighting a diya or an earthen light that shows the fire-deity and the sisters' performance of aarti. They pray for their brother's well-being and place a "tilak" on the brothers' foreheads. A part of the sweet and dessert or dried fruit is served to the brother and the rakhi is ultimately wrapped around the brother's wrist.

Offering of Rakhi Gifts by Brother

Now it's the job of the brother to present Rakhi special gifts to his sister, once Rakhi is tied about the wrist. It might be in the shape of money, an offline gift from or at a rakhi gift shop, a dress, jewellery or any other similar present. or in the form of a special gift item. The amazing selection of Rakhi Return Gifts for your brothers who wish to give their sisters something unique and special may be seen in this site.
The event is commemorated with the change of the "Janau" threads that are worn around the torso in the northern portion of India, such as Uttarakhand from the Kumaon area.The event is dedicated to all brothers, not only brothers and sisters. The event has the same name, but the way it is celebrated in this region of India is a little different. Apart from that, on this day, a fair is held in the Champawat area.
Raksha Bandhan is commemorated in a unique way in the Indian state of Jammu. It all starts with the Kite Flying Event, which takes place a month before the major festival and attracts a large number of people. People fly a vast variety of kites in various forms, colours, and patterns. The folks also fly these kites with specific strings.Woman ties rakhi to the hands of her brother's or her lady's wife in Rajasthani or Marwadi communities (Bhabhi). The custom is observed as a brother's wife is accountable for her brother's well-being, and her well-being is essential for the whole family.
Tying of Lumba Rakhi — The Raksha Bandhan event is now actively commemorated and has migrated beyond the bond between brother and sister. as already said. Woman ties rakhi to the hands of her brother's or her lady's wife in Rajasthani or Marwadi communities (Bhabhi).The custom is observed since the brother's wife is accountable for their brother's well-being, and as a family member, her well-being is essential for the entire family.
In Gujarati, Punjabi, and other families, this unique Lumba Rakhi for bhabhi is an old tradition. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, these colourful rakhis are catching on with the people of India and have become a major fad.

Raksha Bandhan in East India

Due to the vast differences in India's multilingual culture, each festival has taken on its own unique shape and manifestation. The festival is known as Jhulan Purnima in areas of West Bengal and Odisha, where Hindus worship Lord Krishna and Radha on this day. Sisters then tie lovely rakhis on their brothers' wrists and wish them good health. Individuals from all walks of life, including political parties, offices, friends, schools, colleges, common citizens, high-class people, and others, are actively participating in the celebrations around the cities.In Shanti Niketan, the institute founded by Nobel prizewinners Rabindranath Tagore was also well known as "Rakhi Utsava," which celebrates the festival with tremendous passion to promote world brotherhood.

Raksha Bandhan in South India

In Maharashtra and other coastal regions, Raksha Bandhan's celebration is held in the form of Naarali Poornima when people worship the sea. Coconuts are offered as seafood by the fishermen's community. In addition, they eat in every home cocoa-based sweets and meals. After worshipping the sea, latter portion of the celebrations have started.
In other southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the AvaniAvittam is held on the full moon night of Shravan month. The festival is primarily dedicated to all men. On this day, the Brahmins have a plunge in the river and beg for expiation.The sacred thread, or "janau," that is worn across the body is replaced with a fresh thread when the ceremony is completed. During this "thread changing" ritual, they also make a resolution to do good actions. Scholars also advise continuing to read the "Yajur Veda" for the following six months.

Raksha Bandhan in West India

The holiday of "Pavitropana" is observed with Raksha Bandhan in western regions such as Gujarat. Women worship Lord Shiva by pouring water on the Shivlinga and other sacrifices. On this day, they go to the temples and pray for forgiveness for their previous transgressions.

Raksha Bandhan in Central India

The occasion is known as "Kajari Purnima" in these regions, which is a festival for farmers and mothers. Farmers worship their soil on this day, while moms perform a special pooja with their sons. The event's celebration begins a week before the main event. Farmers' wives travel to their farms and gather dirt from their fields in the form of leaves. This soil is then sown with barley seeds and stored in a well-scrubbed and decorated area of the house. The put is taken out and immersed in a well or river by the ladies when the 7 days are up, accompanied with a prayer for their sons' longevity.

Gifts

Following the tying of the rakhi around the wrist, it is now the brother's duty to present his sister with unique rakhi return presents. The gift might be in the shape of money, a rakhi special gift basket from an offline or online giving business, a garment, jewellery, or other such goods. This store has a wonderful selection of Rakhi return presents for their sisters for brothers who wish to give something unique and exceptional to their sisters.

Best places to experience/ Mela

All India

Date & Time

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is celebrated each year on the full moon in the Hindu Month of Shravan

Public Holidays (Y/N and where)

Yes