| a Bandhan is the celebration of the unblemished | | | | brothers and sisters and on this day all kinds of |
| bond of care between a brother and a sister. On | | | | sweets are prepared. |
| this day, the sister ties a holy thread around the | | | | On this day, priests also fasten the rakhis on their |
| wrist of her brother, reaffirming the love and | | | | clients and in return accept contributions from |
| affection between them. This strand, which | | | | them. In several parts of the country it is usual to |
| pulsates with idyllic adoration and transcendent | | | | sketch figures on the walls of their abode and |
| sentiments, is appropriately called the | | | | worship them with offerings of vermilion and |
| ‘Rakhi’. It means 'a bond of | | | | kheer. A few parts of India also keep this day for |
| protection'. This is one of the most cordial and | | | | the blessed thread changing service, when the |
| dignified of all human emotions. | | | | boys abandon the previous one and slip on a new |
| When is Rakhi? | | | | one ritualistically. However it is the emblematic |
| Rakhi is an exceptional occasion that is celebrated | | | | never-ending union between brothers and sisters |
| every year, in August, on Shravan Purnima day. | | | | that cements ties between them even across |
| This year Raksha Bandhan falls on August 28, | | | | continents, which has the most importance on this |
| 2007. Rakhi is one of the very significant festivals | | | | propitious day. |
| of India. It is celebrated all over the country but | | | | Importance of Rakhi |
| the ways of celebrations differ region to region. | | | | Rakhi is an implicit assurance exchanged between |
| The name of this festival also transforms as soon | | | | a brother and sister strengthening their persistent |
| as one enters into a new area. For example few | | | | relationship. This also supports their protective |
| of the names are the 'Vish Taadak' (destroyer of | | | | attachment against all evils and chances. Rituals |
| poison), the 'Punya Pradaayak' (bestower of | | | | like these, undoubtedly, ease out various |
| boons), and the 'Paap Naashak' (destroyer of sins). | | | | communal strains, stimulate empathy, unfasten |
| How to celebrate rakhi? | | | | outlets of expression, and present an occasion to |
| A woman ties a “rakhi” on her | | | | revise our responsibility as individual, most notably, |
| brother's right wrist, to look after him from evil | | | | fetch happiness in our humdrum lives. |
| manipulation and those aspects which may foul his | | | | This protective bond symbolized by Rakhi has |
| spirit, and to fortify the bond of eternal love | | | | resulted in immeasurable opinionated ties among |
| between them. She goes to her brother and | | | | monarchies and states. The leaves of Indian |
| performs the rituals by smearing on kumkum and | | | | history give evidence that the Maratha and the |
| rice particles on his forehead. In return the | | | | Rajput queens have sent Rakhis even to Mughal |
| brother gives her an endowment and pledges to | | | | kings who, despite their differences, have |
| shield her too. The 'rakhi' itself arrays from a | | | | assuaged their Rakhi-sisters by rendering aid and |
| decorated strand to elegantly ornamented balls of | | | | fortification at vital instants and respected the |
| assorted sizes and materials such as feathery | | | | everlasting bond. Even nuptial alliances have been |
| fiber, glitters, gold, silver beads and so on. Sweets | | | | established between kingdoms through the |
| symbolize the sugary moments between the | | | | exchange of Rakhis. |