‘Raksha‘ means protection and ‘Bandhan‘ means binding or bound. According to Hindu calendar, full moon day in the month of Shravana is a day to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. It is also known as Shravana Purnima. Since ages, it has been considered that Shravana is a holy month to celebrate festivals like rakhi. Being a festival of rainy season it rejoices the bond between a brother and a sister, and all those who care for each other. Raksha Bandhan 2017 falls on 7th August in the Gregorian calendar this year.
About Raksha Bandhan
Raksha bandhan, an Indian festival is all about the day to celebrate the bond between families. If they are distant from each other, everybody gets together by pushing the pending work on the next day. The bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters is honored on the day of rakhi. This is a day to pray for protection against all the evils by tying a sacred thread. It is not just a piece of thread, but has a lot of value to it.
Preparations for this day begins few days ago. Sisters engage themselves in finding the best rakhi for her brother. She also shops some amazing outfits for herself. Few days ago, some apply mehendi on their hands too. The brother on the other hand, tries to find the best rakhi gifts for sister as the festival approaches.
The trend to tie a rakhi has been carried forward from history. A sister decorates a rakhi thali that includes a diya, sweets, kumkum and a beautiful rakhi. The proceedings are followed as per the muhurat, an auspicious time as per the Indian calendar. That is the very time when the brother gets himself seated and the sister lights up the diya. She then performs her aarti and applies a kumkum tikka by sprinkling some rice grains over him. He then puts forward his right hand for his sister to tie a rakhi. Later, both share sweets and gifts.
But, this is not a day just for brothers and sisters. It is a day for all those people who immensely love each other. It is for those who want to protect each other from all the hurdles. Celebration is for all. Blood relations are not necessarily important.
History of Rakhi
There are various mythological and historicalstories for calling Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi a big day.
One of the mythological stories is of Krishna and Draupadi that is quite popular. This was the day when Draupadi tore a piece of her saree and tied it to Lord Krishnas? index finger to stop it from bleeding. Getting all sentimental, Lord Krishna promised Draupadi to protect her from all the hurdles she faces.
Another such story is that of the Mahabharata, when queen Kunti ties a simple thread called rakhi to Abhimanyu and Arjun during the battle for their protection. The queen here, was a grandmother of the sons of Subhadra – Abhimanyu and Arjun.
Another story is that of Indra and Indrani signifies that Raksha Bandhan is not the day solely meant for brothers and sisters. But, it is also meant for two people who are deeply concerned about each other and want to protect each other in every possible stage of life. This is a story wherein King Bali was winning against Indra. Here, Indra?s wife, Indrani was worries and prayed Lord Vishnu. He handed her a holy thread that had to be tied on Indra?s wrist. Once Indrani tied the thread to Indra, King Bali started losing the battles. Ultimately, Indra won the war.
The story of Rani Karnavati and Humayun is known by most of them. Humayun received a rakhi from Rani Karnavati when Bahadur Shah attacked Chittorgarh. She sent that sacred thread with a note to Humayun to save her and the empire. He immediately rushed to Chittorgarh with his force to protect Rani Karnavati. But, Rani and the other women happened to commit a suicide before Humayun reached Chittorgarh. Humayun was thrilled to know that and thereby took every step to protect Chittorgarh from Bahadur Shah.
Goddess Lakshmi and King Bali also share their contribution in creating a historical story. This is a story when Goddess Lakshmi requests King Bali her protection as her husband had been out for work. She did that in the outlook of a Brahmin woman. King Bali protects her by giving her a place to stay. She took immense care of her every day. On Poornima, she tied a holy thread to King Bali for his protection. Bali grants her a wish. That is when she requests him to free the gatekeeper who was her husband. Once he freed him up, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu (Gatekeeper) reveal their true identities.
Celebration
The festival is celebrated in different forms in different areas and is also known by different names. As per traditions, on this day the sister prepares the Puja Thali with a Diya, Rice, Roli and Rakhis. She worships the Gods, ties Rakhi to her brother and prays for his well-being. In return the brother accepts the love with a promise to protect her sister and gives her a gift. Traditionally, they then share and eat sweets like Kaju Katli, Jalebi, and Burfi. This festival strengthens the bond of love between the sisters and brothers.
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