Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie a rakhi, or sacred thread, around their brother's wrist, praying for his well-being and prosperity. In return, brothers promise to protect their sisters. The rituals performed during Raksha Bandhan include applying kumkum powder to the brother's forehead and exchanging gifts and sweets. Mythological stories illustrate the protective power of the rakhi and the importance of the brother-sister bond.
9. Raksha bandhan means "bond of protection". The
festival celebrates the love and duty between brothers
and sisters.
On Raksha Bandhan, a sister ties a rakhi (sacred
thread) on her brother's wrist with a prayer for his
prosperity and happiness. This symbolizes the sister's
love. The brother gives her a token gift and a promise to
protect her.
10. There are many mythological and historical stories about
Raksha Bandhan including:
• Indra and Sachi (protective power of holy thread)
• Laxmi and King Bali
• Shubh, Labh and Santoshi Ma
• Krishna and Draupadi
• Yama and Yamuna
• Alexander the Great and King Puru (326 BC)
• Rani Karnavati of Chittor and Emperor Humayun (1535)
• Rabindranath Tagore and Bengal partition (1905)
11. After offering the rituals to the deities of the family,
the sister perform aarti of their brothers and ties
Rakhi on their wrist. Then, they put kumkum powder
on the forehead of their brother and offer sweets. All
these rituals take place amid the chanting of the
following mantras :
Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej
Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee
"The sun radiates its sunlight, the radish spreads its
seeds, I tie the rakhi to you O brother and wish that
may you live long.“
Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah
tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa
chala
" I tie you the rakhi that was tied to king Bali, the
king of Demons, O Rakhi I pray that you never falter
in protecting your devotee.”
In return, brothers pampers and
blesses the sisters and promises to
protect her from all the evils of this
world. He also present a token of
his love and affection as a Rakhi
gift. The rituals performed on
Raksha Bandhan may differ from
place to place but they carry the
same aura throughout the globe.
