Raksha Bandhan celebrates the sacred bond between brothers and sisters.
Sisters tie rakhi and pray for their brothers, while brothers pledge protection and support.
Women traditionally observe a partial fast until tying the rakhi on their brother. Fruits, milk, and tea are permitted. Avoid heavy meals until the ceremony. After tying the rakhi and performing aarti, the fast is broken with festive food.
Prepare a thali with rakhi threads, roli (red powder), rice, aarti lamp, and sweets. Sisters apply tilak on their brother's forehead with roli and rice. Tie the rakhi thread on the right wrist. Wave the aarti lamp. Offer sweets to the brother. Brothers give gifts and pledge protection. The family enjoys a festive meal together.
The legend of Raksha Bandhan is associated with several stories. In the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna once cut his finger and Queen Draupadi tore a strip of her saree to tie around his wound. Krishna was deeply touched and pledged to protect her. Years later, when Draupadi was being disrobed, Krishna miraculously saved her honor. Another story tells of Rani Karnavati of Chittor who sent a rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun, calling him her brother. Humayun immediately marched to protect her kingdom, honoring the sacred bond of rakhi.
Ph.D. in Vedic Studies from Banaras Hindu University with 15 years of experience in Hindu astrology and festival research.
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