Raksha Bandhan
This tradition of this festival dates back to Vedic times when the year's studies were commenced on this day. The legend has it that in the days when Gods warred with the demons, the sister of Indra tied a silken amulet (rakhi) around his wrist. By virtue of this silken amulet, it is believed Indra won back his celestial abode from his enemies.
The name Rakhi is derived from the word 'raksha' that is to protect.
When is it Celebrated?
On the full moon day ( Purnima) in the month of July / August is the RAKHI PURNIMA and this is also the day of the ceremony "Shravani" cleansing the mind of all evil for some castes.
How is it celebrated:
On the day of Raksha Bandhan, everyone in the house is up early and gets dressed in fine clothes. The puja room is swept clean. A puja thaali containing water, rice, flowers, a coconut and rakhis is first placed in front of the God. The elders of the house then conduct the puja by bathing the deity and tying a rakhi on it. Rice from the thaali is then showered on the God and the ritual thus ends. The remaining rakhis in the puja thaali are then tied to the male members of the family. These festivities continue with a hearty meal and the family spends the rest of the day together. Men generally keep their tilak applied on their forehead by their sisters and wear their rakhis the entire day. They feel very proud to show the Rakhi to everyone.
Rakhi
A Rakhi or amulet, may be of silk thread ( originally it was a piece of cotton thread dyed with turmeric powder) or a special thread which has cute designs on it is tied by the sister on a brother’s hand as a way to protect the brother from harm. Three knots are made in the thread to signify protection in thought, word and deed.
Sentiments
Rakhi tells the brother that his sister thinks of him and prays for him and his family. It is a very beautiful sentiment expressed in such a noble way and make family bonds sacred.
Also the sister is guaranteed protection by the brother in return for prayers from the
sister for her brother’s family.
During the Freedom Struggle, many young women tied rakhis around the wrists of young men and made them pledge their lives, their youth, their careers, their ambitions and even their dreams to the struggle for the freedom of their motherland from the shackles of slavery of British imperialism.
After mother-son, the brother-sister is the most popular relationship on screen. Hell hath no greater fury than a brother
scorned! Such is the sentiment attached to the relationship, that it’s been a recurring motif in our films for years.
The situation is often used as a catalyst by the director to create a
bond between people devoid of blood relations.
This festival celebrated mainly in North India is now celebrated
globally, the world being more interconnected now than it was decades back. You find people
in all walks of life embracing this function due to it’s significance.
Though I belong to South India still I make it a point to send Rakhi to two of my brothers as a way of showing affection and also wishing them well on this special day.
With a jet set space of our lives it is these special functions. Here is the chat I had with my brother recently:
Me : did u rx urs (rakhi)?
Shank : i have received the rakki and it is very cute, I will take a snap with that on my hand and send it to you
Shank: what do you need from your brother as a gift for rakshabandan?
Me: I need one churidar.
shank: i will send it to you along with sarvesh's gift for his birthday
I should have probably asked for more churidars, well maybe next time!
So celebrate Raksha bandhan on Aug 30th 2004.
Let these celebrations unite the world and bring peace and prosperity to all.
