A Celebration of Strengthening Brother-Sister Bond

Posted on : 14th July 2016

Celebrating the eternal bond between brothers and sisters on a full moon day in the month of Shravana (August) is the festival of Raksha Bandhan. On this day, sisters tie pious thread on their brother’s wrists for their well being and longevity. Sequentially, brothers bounded by the fragile thread to relish and shield their sisters from all ills and evils. The delicate thread signifies a deep undying relationship which is tender, indulgent and devoted.

The fundamental significance of Raksha Bandhan is to make stronger the bond of love and care between the siblings. Additionally, Raksha Bandhan also symbolizes a peaceful co-existence of every individual.

Ideal time to tie Rakhi on forthcoming Raksha Bandhan 2018 is around late afternoon.

Time for Raksha Bandhan Thread Ceremony = 05:55 am to 02:56 pm

Raksha Bandhan Muhurat = 01:42 Pm to 02:56 pm

Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi is celebrated on Shravana Purnima with great zeal and enthusiasm in all across India and abroad. The festivity remains same with a bit difference in various parts of India that involves rakhi tying ritual, exchanging gifts and luscious traditional sweets such as Rasogulla, Barfi, Peda, Gulab Jamun and chocolates as well.

On the day of Raksha Bandhan sisters get up early in the morning, take a bath, pray and worship to Lord Ganesha and then execute the aarti of brothers, apply tilak of haldi, roli and rice on their forehead and then tie a beautiful Rakhi thread on their wrists. After that sweets are exchanged and there is glee and joy all around. The celebrations carry on all over the day with families reunite up and making fun unlimited.

Brothers and sisters who are residing away convey their wishes through phone or video call and Rakhi is sent online through virtual Rakhi shops.

There are number of stories associated with festivity of Raksha Bandhan and it is also pointed out in Mahabharata. But the most popular story heard about Raksha Bandhan is of Emperor Humayun and Queen Karnavati.

• • As per Indian medieval history, Queen Karnavati of Chittor Rajputana Kingdom sent Rakhi to Delhi for Mughal Emperor Humayun in quest of his support in opposition to Bahadur shah of Mewar. The Emperor was aware of importance of Rakhi thread in Hindu society, therefore he instantly sent his armed forces to protect Queen Karnavati.
• • The myth of Goddess Laxmi and King Bali is also a popular one. As per the myth, King Bali pleased Lord Vishnu with his devotion and fidelity therefore Lord Vishnu granted him a boon of immortality and give him words for divine protection for his empire. To keep his promise Lord Vishnu left Vaikunthdham and came to stay with Bali. In a little while Goddess Laxmi visited King Bali on the day of Shravana Purnima disguised a poor Brahmin lady and tied Rakhi thread on King Bali’s wrist. When King Bali offered her return gift, she disclosed the reality and asked him to send Lord Vishnu back to Vaikunthdham with her.

Another Myth is associated with Yamuna (the river) and Yama (The god of death). It is supposed that Yamuna use to tie pious thread on Yama’s wrist on every Raksha Bandhan. Yama was extremely enthused by the composure of this tradition that he declared that someone gets a Rakhi thread tied on his wrist from his beloved sister and swear her safety will remain protected by Yama.