About Raksha Bandhan Festival
Raksha Bandhan, which celebrates the brother-sister bond, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. Celebrated each year on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan, Raksha Bandhan falls on August 30th, 2023. During the festival, sisters tie a bracelet of protection (called a rakhi) around their brothers’ wrists and the brothers in return, offer their sisters gifts. The festival also has the added bonus of helping to dissolve any tension or fighting between siblings and promotes living in harmony and love. This traditional Hindu celebration is not only celebrated in India but has also been adopted by people from other cultures and religions. It is a beautiful festival that celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters.
Raksha Bandhan – A Celebration of Love and Respect
Raksha Bandhan, celebrated in India and parts of the diaspora, is one of the oldest Hindu traditions. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Shravan month in the Hindu calendar, usually around August. An indigenous festival, its exact origin is shrouded in mystery.
One popular version traces the history to the great epic Ramayana. In the story, Lord Rama was exiled and banished from his home for 14 years. As he was walking away into exile, his wife, Sita, tied a rakhi (sacred thread) around his left wrist. It was her way of expressing her love for her husband and a way of protecting him from harm in his journey. Lord Rama was taken aback by this gesture of love and promised to take care of her in every way.
The second version of the story traces its origin to Mahabharata. During the battle of Kurukshetra between the Kauravas and Pandavas, Draupadi tied a rakhi to Krishna. In return, Krishna promised to protect her in any circumstance.
Significance and Meaning of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan means “bond of protection”. In an Indian context, it is meant to celebrate the relationship between brother and sister. The sister ties a rakhi (sacred thread) on the wrist of the brother and prays for his well-being, joy and protection. In return, the brother makes a commitment to always protect her and look out for her. The day symbolizes the deep bond of love, respect and affection that binds siblings together.
Traditions and Celebrations of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is one of the most popular Hindu festivals celebrated by both men and women. It is a day of feasting and sharing of gifts. On this day, the sisters get up early in the morning and prepare pooja thali for their brothers. The thali has rice, diya (earthen lamp), vermillion (kumkum) and rakhi. After offering prayers, the sister ties rakhi on the brother’s wrist and prays for their well-being. The brother then gifts her blessings along with small gifts and sweets.
In some parts of the country, it is also celebrated with feasts and processions. The whole family gets together and there is lots of dance and music. People also launch firecrackers and share sweets. There is also an exchange of gifts between the brother and sister as a token of love and appreciation.
Geographical Spread of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is not just celebrated in India. It is also celebrated by people of Indian origin living abroad. People of all races, religions and ages come together to celebrate the festival. From small towns to big cities, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Modern Day Observations of Raksha Bandhan
In modern times, the festival has evolved to a great extent. Technology has enabled people to connect with their loved ones even if they are living far apart. They exchange rakhis via email or social media, exchange gifts online and stay connected even if they cannot be physically present.
Raksha Bandhan is no longer just a festival about brother and sister. Sisters tie rakhis to their friends and colleagues, children tie rakhis to their parents and grandparents, spouses tie rakhis to their partners etc. It is an inclusive festival and a celebration of our loving relationships.
Interesting Facts and Trivia about Raksha Bandhan
1. Raksha Bandhan is also called as Rakhi or Rakhi Purnima.
2. The name Raksha Bandhan is derived from the two Sanskrit words, ‘Raksha’ which means protection, and ‘Bandhan’ which means the bond.
3. According to Astronomical calculations, during the time of Lord Rama, Raksha Bandhan used to fall on a full moon in the month of June.
4. The Vrindavan rakhi is one of the most popular type of rakhis in India. It is made from specially treated Vrindavan Darbha grass and is said to have special powers.
5. In some parts of the country, people exchange special tokens called ‘Rakhi’ on the day of Raksha Bandhan.
6. Sweets made of curd and semolina are commonly exchanged between brothers and sisters on this day.
7. In Jammu & Kashmir, sisters pray for their brothers’ long lives by burying them up to their necks.
8. In Gujarat, sisters tie a thread around the sugarcane stalk for assurance that the brother will remain prosperous in life.
9. In Nepal, sisters put a tika on their brother’s forehead and give him an offering of rawn Rice.
10. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, sisters tie beads to their brother’s wrist and coconut in a black shawl.
11. In Assam, the brother and sister exchange teeka (vermillion) and gifts.
12. In Odisha, brothers and sisters exchange gamgrass (holy thread) and sweets.
13. In Mizoram, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated by exchanging a small string as a symbol of love and protection.
14. In Maharashtra, sisters present their brothers with mauli (sacred threads) and gifts.
15. In Rajasthan, sisters tie a long thread with nine knots to their brothers.
16. In Punjab, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as “Rakhi” or “Bhai Tika”.
17. In Bengal, the sisters put vermillion and rice on the forehead of their brothers.
18. In Karnataka, sisters send small gifts, sweets and rakhi cards via post or courier on Raksha Bandhan.
19. In Kerala, sisters tie ‘rakhis’ with flowers and turmeric to their brothers.
20. In Tamil Nadu, sisters tie turmeric bangles to their brothers and offer them milk and sweets.
Raksha Bandhan Wishes, Messages, Quotes
1. Our bond of love will only strengthen over the years. Wishing you a very Happy Raksha Bandhan!
2. Dear brother, may this Raksha Bandhan be filled with joy, harmony and lots of love for both of us. Wishing you a very Happy Rakhi!
3. On this special day, may life turn out just as you have wished for and may you get all that your heart desires. Wishing you a very Happy Raksha Bandhan!
4. May this day bring us more closer. Wishing you a very Happy Rakhi!
5. Dear brother, thank you for always being there for me. Wishing you a very Happy Raksha Bandhan!
6. May the warmth of our relationship continue to grow with each passing year. Wishing you a very Happy Rakhi!
7. Wishing you a wonderful day filled with love, joy and warmth. Wishing you a very Happy Raksha Bandhan!
8. May this Raksha Bandhan be filled with sweet memories that will last a lifetime. Wishing you a very Happy Rakhi!
9. Dear brother, thank you for being such an amazing support in my life. Wishing you a very Happy Raksha Bandhan!
10. May the divine power of love keep us connected forever. Wishing you a very Happy Rakhi!
11. “A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.”
12. “The mildest, drowsiest sister has been known to turn tiger if her sibling is in trouble.”
13. “The love between brothers and sisters never fades away.”
14. “A sister is someone who loves you from the heart, no matter how much you argue.”
15. “A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams.”
16. “Brother and sister is the joy that never fades.”
17. “A bond between siblings is always special.”
18. “Your brother is always a brother to you.”
19. “My brother is my best friend.”
20. “Siblings are like the branches of a tree, they grow in different directions but their roots remain as one.”
How to Say "Raksha Bandhan" In Different Languages?
- Czech
- Svatý Kond (cs-CZ)
- Danish
- Venskabsfestival (da-DK)
- Greek
- Φροντιστήριο του Φίλια (el-GR)
- Hindi
- रक्षा बंधन (hi-IN)
- Icelandic
- Vináttuafmæli (is-IS)
- Indonesian
- Hari rakhi (id-ID)
- Latvian
- Brāļu diena (lv-LV)
- Māori
- Rangimārie (mi-NZ)
- Nepali
- रक्षाबन्धन (ne-NP)
- Norwegian
- Vennskapsdag (nb-NO)
- Portuguese
- Dia da Amizade (pt-PT)
- Punjabi
- ਰਖਿਆਲੇ ਬੰਧਨ (pa-PK)
- Slovene
- Vezaga (sl-SI)
- Spanish
- Día de la Amistad (es-ES)
- Tagalog
- Pagdiriwang ng Pagsasamaang-loob (tl-PH)
- Thai
- วันรักษาบันดา (th-TH)
- Turkish
- Kardeşliğin Günü (tr-TR)
- Ukrainian
- День приєднання (uk-UA)
Raksha Bandhan Also Called
Rakhi Purnima or Raksha Bandhan.Countries where "Raksha Bandhan" is celebrated:
- :: Africa
- :: Mauritius
- :: South Africa
- :: Asia
- :: Bangladesh
- :: India
- :: Myanmar
- :: Nepal
- :: Pakistan
- :: Sri Lanka
- :: North America
- :: United States of America
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