Rakhi is a great Indian festival which is widely celebrated in India. Rakshabandhan or Rakhi is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Shravan. It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs in India with great joy and vigour. The festival of Rakshabandhan holds great significance. It is a special festival between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated with full joy and enthusiasm to signify their love and devotion
This is a sacred festival and shows the true bond between brother and sister which is pure and unconditional. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is very popular and days in advance the preparation begins. The markets are flooded with beautiful Rakhis and delicious sweets. Children are also very excited and prepare homemade Rakhis to express their true emotions for their siblings. Rakhi is a pious festival apart from gifts and sweets the sisters bring Rakhi thali which consists of kanku chawal and coconut which holds religious and spiritual significance. The sisters tie Rakhi to their brothers on a special muhurat to make the ceremony of Rakhshabandhan auspicious.
On the day of Rakhi the homes filled with happiness. The sisters if far off come home especially for their brothers to tie Rakhi to their beloved brothers for protection and pray for their brother’s well-being. The brothers give fabulous gifts to their sisters as a token of affection.
Rakhi is celebrated between brothers and sisters which may be not biologically related. The main purpose is to tie the Rakhi to fulfill the relation of Rakhi with truth and commitment. The day holds importance for brother and sister as to protect the sister from evils.
There are several mythological legends associated with Rakhi. Lord Ganesha had two sons who insisted lord Ganesha bring a sister who would tie Rakhi to them. Ganesh then created Santoshi Maa who tied Rakhi to them.
Another legend is of Krishna and Draupadi. In the Mahabharat, Lord Krishna had hurt his finger when he had sent his Sudarshan Chakra from his finger to kill Shishupala. Draupadi then tear off her sari to bandage Shri Krishna’s finger. Lord Krishna who was then taken away by Draupadi’s gesture promised to protect her from all evils.
One more legend is of King Bala and Goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi took the form of a Brahmin woman and tied Rakhi to king Bali on the day of Shravan Purnima. She then revealed herself and asked the king to free his friend, Lord Vishnu, and let him return to Vaikunth.
This mythological legend tells us that we tie Rakhi not only to brothers for protection but also to the ones we love. Once a battle of Gods and demons took place in the Vedia period. Indrani, the wife of Indra, tied a thread on the wrist of her husband for protection against the demons.
The festival of Rakhshabandhan is very ancient and significant. But in modern times it is losing its worth. Nowadays, the generation is very selfish and has forgotten the meaning of true relationships. Moreover, due to the fast-paced life and influx of western culture, it is not much celebrated with custom and tradition.
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