Rakshya Bandhan - A Great Festival for Brothers and Sisters

Rakshya Bandhan, one of the popular rites of the Hindus or is a ceremony that falls on the Full Moon day in the month of Shrawan (Usually in August) according to the Hindu Lunar Calendar. The expression "Raksha Bandhan” is a Sanskrit word that literally means ‘the bond of protection, obligation, or care’.

This rite is celebrated throughout the planet significantly influenced by the Hindu culture. During this day, sisters tie a talisman or amulet known as “Rakhi” around the wrists of their brothers. The rakhi is considered a sacred thread and a symbol of protection. The sisters wish for very good health, and prosperity and give blessings to their brothers. In return, sisters receive gifts from their brothers.

Meaning of Raksha Bandhan

The Phrase Rakshya Bandhan is made up of two words namely ‘Rakshya’ and ‘Bandhan’. They literally mean protection and to tie respectively and jointly it refers to ‘the tie or knot of protection. Tying a sacred rope around the wrist of the brothers means keeping them protected throughout the year. It also symbolizes the eternal love of the brother-sister relationship which does not mean just the blood relationships only. The entire world is taken in the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood.

Origin of Raksha Bandhan Festival

Rakshya Bandhan is known to be originated centuries before and there are numerous stories related to the celebration of this auspicious occasion. Some of the many accounts related to Hindu mythology are explained below.

Lord Indra and Sachi

By ancient legend of Bhavishya Purana, once there was a ferocious battle between Gods and demons. Lord Indra- the major deity of sky, rains, and thunderbolts who was struggling the battle on the side of the Gods was having a tough battle with the powerful demon King, Bali. The battle was sustained for a long time and did not come to a conclusive end. Observing this, Indra's wife Sachi went to Lord Vishnu, the protector god for help. Lord Vishnu gave her a holy armlet made up of cotton thread.

Sachi tangled the holy thread around the wrist of her husband, Lord Indra who eventually overwhelmed the demons and recovered the Amaravati. The earlier account of the festival described these holy threads to be talismans which were used by women for prayers and were tied to their husbands when they were marching for war. These days, this thread no longer remains limited to the husband and wife, instead popular for brotherhood and sisterhood. However, the main message or motto is protection which has not been changed!

Santoshi Mata

It is believed that the two songs of Lord Ganesha, namely Shubh and Lava were forested as they had no sister. They asked their father for a sister who finally obliged their sister with the intervention of saint Narada. This is how Lord Ganesha created Santoshi Mata using the divine flames and the two sons of Lord Ganesha got their sister for the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

Krishna and Draupadi

According to Mahabharat, an epic, the wife of Pandavas tied a rakhi to Lord Krishna while Kunti tied the rakhi to grandson Abhimanyu before the epic war.

When is Raksha Bandhan Celebrated?

According to Hindu Calender, Rakshya Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Shrawan usually in August. Popular as Rakhi Purnima, there are other festivals celebrated on the same day by the different communities in Nepal and several parts of the world. In India, it is popular as Avani Avattam and Kajari Purnima as well.

Rakshya Bandhan Dates for the Next Four Years

This year, Rakhshya Bandhan is celebrated on August 12, 2022. The following table below exhibits the dates of Raksha Bandhan for the five years including this year