What Is Raksha Bandhan? A Closer Look
Raksha Bandhan is an ancient Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between siblings. The festival is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Shravana, which usually falls in the month of August or September. In 2021, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on August 21.
This special day commemorates the love and affection that siblings have for each other. While Raksha Bandhan is traditionally a Hindu festival, it is celebrated by people of all religions. Here, we take a closer look at this unique celebration and its long history.
Raksha Bandhan Meaning
Raksha Bandhan comes from two Sanskrit words- Raksha, which means “protection,” and Bandhan, which means “bond.” Thus, Raksha Bandhan is literally translated as “the bond of protection.”
The term raksha is derived from the Sanskrit root rakṣ- “to be protected.” It is also used in the context of spiritual protection or guardianship, especially the protection offered by a guru to his disciples.
The term bandhan also has its origins in Sanskrit. It comes from the root bandh- “to bind, to fetter.” It is commonly used in the context of relationships, such as a bond of friendship or love between siblings.
Raksha Bandhan Origin and History
Raksha Bandhan is an ancient festival that is believed to have been first celebrated in the Vedic era. However, its exact origin is shrouded in mystery. The most popular folklore associated with the festival is based on the Hindu epic the Ramayana.
According to this story, the god Bhrama commanded King Bali to go to earth in order to understand the true meaning of raksha or protection. The king met a young girl on the banks of the Amravati River who was praying to Bhrama for her brothers safety. Since she was unable to give him any presents, she offered him a thread in exchange for his protection. After receiving the thread, King Bali gave her his word that he would always protect her brother. This is how the festival of Raksha Bandhan began.
Significance and Traditions of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is a sacred festival that has been celebrated since ancient times. It is traditionally associated with the relationship between brothers and sisters. On this day, the sisters tie a colorful thread, known as the rakhi, around the wrist of their brothers. The rakhi symbolizes the sister’s love for her brother and her desire for his safety and protection.
The brother, in turn, expresses his love and affection for his sister. He usually gives her a gift and offers her his blessings. It is also traditional for the brother to promise his sister that he will always protect her from harm.
In the modern era, Raksha Bandhan is no longer a solely fraternal holiday. Sisters may also tie the rakhi to friends, cousins, or other people they want to express their feelings of love and affection towards.
Raksha Bandhan Rituals
Raksha Bandhan is a multi-day event that includes several rituals.
On the day of the festival, sisters decorate a small tray, known as a thali, with flowers, roli, moli, diya, and a plate of sweets. After taking a bath and wearing new clothes, they go to where their brother is and tie the colorful thread on his right wrist. This is accompanied by chanting of shlokas (verses) dedicated to the gods.
The brother then expresses his love for his sister and presents her with a gift. After this, the sister applies a tilak (a sign of blessing) on the forehead of the brother and gives him a sweet. The final step is the feeding of a sweet to the brother by his sister.
Post-Ritual Activities
Once the festival is over, it is customary for families to visit nearby relatives and friends, who in turn may also exchange gifts. The sisters may also exchange bangles with their female cousins, aunts, and other female relatives.
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the unique bond between brothers and sisters and reinforces the importance of family bonds. It is a day of joy, celebration, and love and provides a perfect opportunity to express love and gratitude.
Raksha Bandhan is an ancient Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Shravana, usually in August or September, and signifies the protective bond between siblings. People of all religions have adopted this celebration and uphold the tradition of tying a rakhi thread, exchanging gifts, and sharing sweets to mark the day. It provides the perfect opportunity to honor the special relationship between siblings and strengthen the bond of love and protection.
