Details of Festival
Rakshabandhan or Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is one of the most famous festivals of India. It has an important meaning in the life of each family and it unites and rejoices the eternal bond between siblings.
Raksha Bandhan is also known as Rakhi, a celebration of India’s cultural and traditional values. It is a festival that remembers the love between brothers and sisters. This is the reason for the popularity of this festival worldwide. People celebrate Rakhi festival in many different ways and increase the happiness of brother-sisters relationship.
Its influence affects people around the world to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. It is an annual ritual in Indian traditions that usually falls in the month of August. People consider it as a carnival of care, obligation, protection, and ambiguity.
Rakshabandhan – Meaning for the people
Raksha Bandhan has great importance in Hinduism. The bonding of sisters and brothers is extraordinary in every way. On this day, the sister ties a rakhi (amulet) on her brother’s hand and prays for her prosperity. In return, the brothers pledge her safety.
This festival is composed with two words. The first word is “Raksha” and the second is “Bandhan”. These words are in Sanskrit with “a knot of protection”. Meaning is a symbol of eternal love. The relationship between brother and sister does not simply mean a blood relationship.
It includes a celebration with all other cousins, Bua (brother aunt), sister-in-law (sister-in-law) and nephew (nephew).
With these ties, present-day women tie rakhi to their sworn brothers. In this way, Raksha Bandhan unites people from different places, castes and religions. It is a festival that brings people above differences.
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Origin and History of Rakshabandhan
Talking about physical existence, Rakhi is just a thread that beautifies the brothers hand with infinite prosperity and accountability to protect the sisters forever. This special festival gets its origin from centuries ago. There are various stories and events from history, we are describing below-
– Tale of Indra Dev and Sachi
In the battle with the gods and demons, the major divinity of the sky god Indra was fighting on behalf of the gods. He with rain and thunder. The war did not come to an impressive end due to the powerful demon king Bali. When Saatchi sees the life of Lord Indra, he goes to Lord Vishnu and he gives Saachi a sacred bracelet made of thread.
Saatchi ties a thread around Lord Indra’s wrist and she finally wins the battle and acquires Amravati. History says that these threads are amulets used by women in prayer. In ancient days, these threads were not limited to the relationship between brothers and sisters.
– Story of Goddess Lakshmi and King Bali
The story of Goddess Lakshmi and King Bali is described in the Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana. Once, Lord Vishnu conquered the three worlds from the demon Samsara Bali. He has to live near Bali in the palace.
Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, wants her to return to Vaikuntha. She visits Bali’s palace and ties a rakhi on her wrist. When asked about the return and the gift, she asks Bali to free her husband. Bali agrees to the request and frees Lord Vishnu.
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– The bond of Krishna and Draupadi
His story is attributed to the Mahabharata. Before the war starts, Kunti ties a rakhi to Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu and Draupadi ties a rakhi to Lord Krishna. In the era of Mahabharata, women tied rakhi to brothers before going to war.
– An Epic story of Santoshi Maa
Lord Ganesha’s son Shubh and Labha were not happy that he did not have a sister. He kept asking his father for a sister. Accepting his request, Lord Ganesha created Santoshi Mata (Goddess Santoshi). It was the creation of divine tableaux on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
– Story of Yama and Yamuna
According to mythology, Yama was the god of death. Yama did not meet his sister for 12 years. His sister Yamuna was saddened by this. After advice from Ganga, Yama goes to Yamuna’s house. Pleased with the hospitality offered by Yamuna, Yama asks her for a gift, Yamuna expresses a desire to see her brother again.
Yama then makes him immortal so that he will meet her again.His sister Yamuna tied him a rakhi on his wrist for the first time in the world. It blessed him for eternity. The festival of Rakhi is celebrated at that time. This event is the origin of the festival of “Bhai Dooj”.
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The reason behind the Celebration of Rakshabandhan
There are many stories behind the celebration of Raksha Bandhan. People from different regions believe in different stories related to Rakhi.
Men and women who are not biologically related also celebrate Rakhi
Raksha Bandhan in Indian History
The celebration of history in India includes many stories.
- Wife of Alexander and King Porus
In a battle between the Greek king, Alexander, and the army of the Hindu king Porus, Alexander’s wife sent a sacred thread to King Porus. She asks Porus not to harm Alexander.
Porus pays full respect to his Rakhi and prevents himself from attacking Alexander.
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- Queen Karmavati and Humayun
Rani Karmavati of Chittor sent a rakhi to Humayun to protect her from Bahadur Shah Zafar. In honor of Rakhi, Humayun goes back to perform his brother’s duty. Unfortunately, he arrives late after the Jauhar custom of Chittor in which he immerses himself.
- Rabindranath Tagore’s Story
In 1905, at the time of the Partition of Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore uses this festival to spread the national spirit and maintain harmony among the people of the country.
Variation and Rituals
In 1905, at the time of the Partition of Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore uses this festival to spread the national spirit and maintain harmony among the people of the country.
Like other major Hindu festivals, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in many ways across different religions and regions.
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- Hindu
This festival is celebrated prominently in the northern part of the country. People from every family gather in the morning. Sister Diya (Deepak) brings a plate decorated with sweets and tilak. The sister ties a rakhi on the brother’s hand and he gives her a gift in return. Countries like Nepal and Pakistan also celebrate Rakshabandhan.
- Sikhs
In the Sikh community, the festival is celebrated under the name “Rakhdi”. They consider this day to be a devotion to love and care shared by siblings.
- Jain
In the Jain community, people observe this festival with ceremonial festivals to devotees.
Final Thoughts
Every family considers the festival of Raksha Bandhan a little more special because it brings people out of their diversity. It provides strength and affection. On this day, the brothers and sisters promise each other a lifetime of trust and loyalty. The festival of Rakshabandhan is a remembrance of purity, love and devotion.