Raksha = protection and Bandhan = bond, pledge and an oath. Rakshabandhan means a pledge that a brother takes to protect his sister. It’s a festival that celebrates the relationship, like no other, between brother and sister.
Raksha = protection and Bandhan = bond, pledge and an oath. Rakshabandhan means a pledge to protect. A pledge that a brother takes to protect his sister. There are 3 holidays celebrated in Hindu culture that signifies the importance of the relationship between a brother and sister – Rath Yatra, Rakshabandhan and Bhaibij (or Bhaiduj). Among many relationships, relationship between brother and a sister has a place of its own. The bond that they share is unparalleled – an unbreakable one. Enduring and unconditional faith that a sister puts in her brother is like no other … and in return brother pledges to protect her. Without much fanfare, this is quite simply symbolized by sister tying a rakhi on her brother’s wrist – a gesture that has no match. No gift from brothers matches the love and trust that a sister puts in that rakhi.
History:
This holy festival has many prevailing mythological beliefs. There are different stories related to Raksha Bandhan that is believed to be the origin of this religious celebration. But ultimately, they all focus on a bond that is pure and unconditional beyond all social dilemmas. All the historic stories involve two people who have a faithful bond and a promise to protect the female member. Below are some famous stories according to historical data signifying brother and sister’s connection with a sacred thread known as rakhi.
Draupadi And Krushna:
Draupadi and Krushna had a very special friendship that became the center of Mahabharat. The faith of Draupadi in Krushna and Krushna’s protection in the most crucial moment signifies the depth of their bond and emotional respect. It is said that one day when Pandavas, Draupadi, and Krushna were having a good time, Krushna accidentally hurt himself in the palm.
He was bleeding heavily due to that deep cut, and at that very moment, Draupadi tore a corner of her saree and wrapped it immediately around Krushna’s hand. In return for that thoughtful gesture, Krushna promised always to protect her. Which he certainly did with that piece of cloth during her Vastraharan time.
This beautiful event then became the origin of the Raksha Bandhan festival as per mythological facts.
Rakshabandhan and Yam:
Raksha Bandhan is associated with Yam, the Hindu god of death, and his sister, the goddess of the dawn. It is said that Yam once saved his sister from a demon, and to show her gratitude, she tied a sacred thread around his wrist to protect him from harm. On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a sacred thread, or rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers, symbolizing the bond of love and protection between them. The brothers, in turn, pledge to protect and care for their sisters and to always stand by them in times of need.
Rani Karnavati And Emperor Humayun:
Another prevailing story is of queen Karnavati of Chittorgarh and Mughal emperor Humayun. Earlier in time, when India was under the Mughal empire, the widowed queen of the king of Chittor sent an important message to the Mughal emperor Humayun to seek help for the protection of her kingdom.
It was the time when Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat was about to attack Chittor. And for that regard, queen Karnavati sent a message and her bracelet as a rakhi to ask for help. When Humayun received that message, he sent his troop to defend the queen’s fortress, but he was late, as per some historical records.
But this event of the queen sending a rakhi to a Mughal emperor created another benchmark of a brother and sister’s sacred bond.
From these two stories, people in India celebrate Raksha Bandhan regardless of religion, caste, status, and acquaintance. It is considered as the purest and divine connection where the sister is giving a sacred thread for her brother’s protection, and the brother is giving a lifelong promise for his sister’s protection.
Celebration:
The core part of the celebration is very simple. People get ready and decorate their houses. And the brother is supposed to visit his sister’s house with sweets and presents. Then the sister will prepare aarti for her brother and mark a tilak on his forehead. After tying a rakhi, they both place a slice of sweet into each other’s mouths and exchange gifts.
However, regional differences are still there in this festival. Maharashtra celebrates Narali Purnima, West Bengal includes Jhulan Purnima, and North India celebrates kite festival on Raksha Bandhan. Women tie rakhis to their biological brothers and self-chosen brothers as well. The beauty of Raksha Bandhan is the pure belief in connection regardless of every social norm and artificial emotion.
Earlier it was just about sacred thread, but now rakhi comes into a large variety of designs, embellishments, and colors. Rakhi is a part of festive business, and it provides enormous employment as well. It comes in different price ranges and serves the same purpose. In other words, we can say, rakhi is a powerful thread that brings the whole country together to celebrate an eternal bond in the family.
Rakshabandhan is celebrated on full moon day of Shravan month. It is also observed on Bhadarvo Sud Bij (second day of the light fortnight – ascending moon of the month Bhadarvo) when boys and men change their janoi / yagnopavit (threads). Janoi is a collection of cotton threads that’s worn across the body (from left shoulder to the right hip). Unmarried men wear janoi of 3 threads while married men upgrades it to 6 threads (3 for himself and 3 for his wife). During ancient times, women used to also wear janoi, but as times changed, the traditions changed. Accepting a janoi for the first time is a significant event in a man’s life – it is considered his second birth. Yagnopavit Sanskar (Thread Ceremony), 10th (out of 16 total) sanskar is one of the most important sanskaras. This is when a student accepts a teacher, a guru – a guru that leads the young student on the righteous path. (Guru is revered and worshipped as God in Hindu culture, as evident by another festival – Guru Purnima.) Janoi, a simple collection of cotton threads, is a constant reminder that God is with you. Three threads represent the trinity of Gods – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Wearing a janoi is a matter of pride. It is with pride that men should accept and change it; it is a beacon of righteousness, a moral compass that serves as a reminder to follow the virtuous path, an ethical path.
Such simple symbols – a rakhi and janoi – made of cotton worn on wrist and around the torso respectively; yet such significant gestures and important reminders.
Gift Ideas for Brothers
Brothers generally are not expecting anything for Rakshabandhan, however, if sisters insist that they want to gift their brothers, they can offer sweets along with lots of love.
Bhai Dooj and Raksha Bandhan are two Hindu festivals that celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters. Both festivals are observed in India and Nepal, and are an important part of the Hindu calendar.
Bhai Dooj is observed on the fifth day of the festival of Diwali, which falls on the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. On this day, brothers visit their sisters and offer them gifts and blessings. Sisters also prepare special dishes and perform puja rituals to pray for their brothers’ well-being and long life. Bhai Dooj is a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters and is an opportunity for siblings to express their love and affection for each other.
Raksha Bandhan, on the other hand, is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana. On this day, sisters tie a sacred thread, known as a rakhi, around their brothers’ wrists and offer them blessings and gifts. Brothers, in turn, promise to protect and care for their sisters and offer them gifts in return. Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of the bond of protection and love between brothers and sisters.
Both Bhai Dooj and Raksha Bandhan are important festivals in the Hindu calendar and are an opportunity for brothers and sisters to come together and celebrate their bond of love and affection.
