Dear Editor,
‘Raksha Bandhan’, or ‘Rakhi’, is a special occasion to celebrate the emotional bonding of a sister tying a holy thread round her brother’s wrist. ‘Raksha Bandhan’ means ‘a bond of protection’, and it signifies that the strong must protect the weak from all evil.
This ritual is observed on the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan, when sisters tie the Rakhi on their brothers’ wrists, and pray for their long life. This ritual sometimes involves an aarti, where a tray with lighted lamp or candle is ritually rotated around the brother’s face, along with the prayer and well wishes.
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the love and bonding between brothers and sisters.
Raksha Bandhan is an ancient festival, and has many stories behind it. Some of the famous stories include where the Rajput queen Rani Karnavati practised the custom of sending rakhi thread to Mugal Emperor Humayun as a token of brotherhood. Another popular one is from the Mahabharata, and it acknowledges the relationship between Lord Krishna and Draupadi.
According to the epic, one morning, when Lord Krishna was flying a kite, he cut his finger on the abrasive string. Draupadi, who was nearby, saw him bleeding profusely and ran to him.
She then tore a piece from her sari and tied it around his finger. Lord Krishna was so touched that in return he promised to protect her from all evil forever.
This symbolises the sister’s love and prayers for her brother’s well-being, and the brother’s lifelong vow to protect her.
India, as we know, has a rich cultural heritage; and while there are many festivals observed throughout the year, Raksha Bandhan holds a special place. It is the time when siblings celebrate the special bond of love between them.
During this festival, girls — with their friends or families — go out to buy Rakhis for their brothers, new clothes for themselves, sweets for relatives and friends etc; and boys, for their part, also go out to buy gifts for their sisters. Raksha Bandhan is one festival that protects and nurtures the loving relationship between brother and sister. Though the modern-day celebration has brought in various changes in the celebration, the significance of the festival is still the same.
The Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore initiated the festival as a community celebration. He asked all the Muslims and Hindus to tie Rakhi, as this would help in maintaining harmony and peace between them. So, from this also, the festival of Raksha Bandhan started.
The bonding between a brother and a sister is simply unique, and is beyond description in words. The relationship between siblings is extraordinary, and is given importance in every part of the world. However, when it comes to India, the relationship becomes all the more important, as there is a festival called “Raksha Bandhan” dedicated for the siblings’ love. It is a perfect way of spending time with your siblings. Happy RAKI Day.
Sincerely,
Pt Surendra Tiwari
