Rakhi is also called Raksha Bandhan and is one of the popular festivals of India. The Rakhi festival is a celebration of the pure and sacred bond between brothers and sisters. 'Raksha Bandhan' or 'Rakhi' is a very special day for brothers and sisters, when the sister celebrates her emotional bonding by tying a holy thread around the wrist of her brother. This thread, which symbolizes love and care, is called the 'Rakhi'. "Rakhi" means the bond of protection. The Raksha Bandhan festival also connotes a broad significance that the strong must protect the weak from all the evils and dangers. Festival of Rakhi is celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu month of Sharavana. Rakhi Festival 2008 will be celebrated on Tuesday, 16th August 2008.
Rakhi is being celebrated since ancient time and its popularity seems to be increasing with every passing year. The festival spells its magic on brothers and sister of all ages and creed. So much so that even if they may be distances apart sibling greatly feel this urge to be close to each other.
For sisters it is a supreme pleasure to be able to physically apply tilak on her brother’s forehead, take his arti and tie a rakhi on her brother’s wrist. She prays to God to protect her dear brother from all dangers and adversities in life. Brothers feel elated at the joy of having a sister who loves him so much. He promises to protect his sister and support her in every phase of her life. The exchange of this wonderful feeling between the brother and sister every year on Rakhi festival strengthens their relationship and builds an inseparable bond between them.
Festival of Raksha Bandhan also calls for celebrations and merriment. Brother pamper their sisters with attractive gifts and loads of cash. Sisters too depict love for their brothers by showering presents on them. They also prepare brothers favorite dishes and the traditional lip smacking kheer. Those staying away from their siblings take help of the courier, postal and Internet services to let each other know much they care for their brother/sister and wish to be together on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
History of Rakhi
There are many legends associated with the Indian festival of Rakhi. Different heroes in Indian mythology and history with whom rakhis are associated are:
Indra - According to legend Indra found himself being defeated by the demon king or Daitya Raja. On the advice of his Guru Brihaspati, his consort tied a Raksha on Indra's wrist and this helped him achieve victory against the demon king.
Yudhishtra - The eldest of the Pandavas is believed to have asked Krishna, how to protect himself, before the epic battle of the Mahabharata. Lord Krishna instructed him that he would be protected by the beneficial power of the rakhi.
Alexander - When Alexander invaded the Indian subcontinent in 326 B.C. he had to fight many battles against the rulers of kingdoms in the north West. Alexander's wife is believed to have tied a rakhi to the king Puru or Porus. In return he is believed to have promised to protect her and her husband. In battle when he had the opportunity to strike Alexander, his promise is believed to have restrained him from delivering a fatal blow.
Humayun - During Mughal times the custom of tying Rakhis helped bind the Hindu Rajputs and the Mughal rulers of Delhi together. According to legend, when Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attacked Rani Karnavati of Chittor, she sent a rakhi to Humayun and requested him to help. He tried to come to her aid but was too late, Chittor had already fallen and the Rani had immolated herself in the Rajput custom of Jauhar.
Legends of Rakhi
Origin - The Shravana or the monsoon month carries all hues and shades of nature and emotions. Religiously speaking Shravan is a pious month and full moon of this all-important month is considered to be a very holy day. It is celebrated in different ways for different reasons almost throughout the country.
For the siblings it is the eternal tie of love, for Brahmins the day to take the pledge of Brahmanik rites and for those who depend sea and monsoon, it is the beginning of the new season.
Indian festivals are based on the weather changes and their significance in the lives of people but they do have a story to support the celebrations. The rich Indian Mythology provides a religious reason to celebrate the day in a specific way. Many epics are related to the day and the origin of Raksha Bandhan. The festival finds a mention in most of the epics and its origin can be traced back to the mythological Pouranik times.
The legend in the Bhavishya Puran - The legend refers to a war between the Gods and the Demons. The demon King Brutra was advancing and the Gods lead by lord Indra, were on verge of defeat. The king of Gods, Indra approached Guru Brihaspati to find a solution to the situation. Brihaspati asked Indra to tie a sacred thread on his wrist, powered by the sacred mantras on the Shravan Purnima. Lord Indra's Queen Sachi also called Indrani, empowered the thread and tied it on to his hand on the decided day. The power of the sacred thread called Raksha helped the Gods to victory. The tradition of thread tying still continues. It is a gesture of goodwill.
The legend of King Bali and Goddess Laxmi - According to another legend Demon King Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu had taken up the task to guard his kingdom leaving his own abode in Vaikunth. Goddess Laxmi wished to be with her lord back in her abode. She went to Bali disguised as a Brahmin woman to seek refuge till her husband came back. During the Shravan Purnima celebrations, Laxmiji tied the sacred thread to the King. Upon being asked she revealed who she was and why she was there. The king was touched by her goodwill for his family and her purpose and requested the Lord to accompany her. He sacrificed all he had for the Lord and his devoted wife.
Thus the festival is also called Baleva that is Bali Raja's devotion to the Lord.It is said that since then it has been a tradition to invite sisters in Shravan Purnima for the thread tying ceremony or the Raksha Bandhan
Yama and the Yamuna - It is said that the Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) and his sister Yamuna. Yamuna tied rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. Yama was so moved by the serenity of the occasion that he declared thar whoever gets a rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection will become immortal.
In the Epics - Raksha Bandhan finds a mention in Mahabharata when Lord Krishna advised Yudhishthir to perform the ceremony to protect himself and the army from the dangers of the war. It is said that Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas tied rakhi to her grandson Abhimanyu and Draupadi to lord Krishna.
Rakhi Significance
The festival of rakhi has undergone many changes. Although today rakhi celebrations center around the brother-sister relationship, it was not always so. In the olden days the rakhi thread was tied for protection or raksha. Anybody, a wife, a daughter or a mother could tie this rakhi thread. The Rishis tied rakhi on the wrist of the people who came seeking for their blessings. The sages also use to tie this sacred thread to themselves to safe guard them from evil. This day is generally a day when all sins end and blessings are showered on all. Although rakhi signifies the bond between a brother and a sister but it is also a symbol of warmth and compassion shared between the communities as a whole. Some people tie rakhi to neighbors and close friends signifying the special bond shared between the two. This day of rakhi reflects the silent pledge of morality, spirituality and respect to values and Indian culture. In every part of India, rakhi day is celebrated in different styles and ways. As people reach out on this day this raksha bandhan becomes a day that binds families in the oneness of this festival.
Customs and Traditions
The custom and tradition associated with the festival of rakhi reflects the aspects of protection given by brothers to their sister and stands for the forces of righteousness from the forces of evil. On the festive occasion of rakhi Bandhan, the preparation include buying beautiful rakhis, a day or two before the rakhi festival. Traditional Indian sweets and dishes are prepared by sisters for their loving brothers. After an early bath, the worshiping of God takes place. The sister then offers "aarti" to her brother and ties the silken thread on his wrist. The day also marks applying the "tilak"or vermilion powder on the forehead of the brother. In turn the sister receives various kinds of gifts and presents.
In Maharashtra, coconuts are thrown into the sea to propitiate the Sea God, Varuna, who is the chief object of worship on this occasion. The 'three eyes' of the coconut are believed to represent the three-eyed Shiva and hence the religious significance. A similar practice is followed in some other places in order to offer Puja to the God of rain and water, Lord Varuna.
In South India, rakhi Bandhan is called Avani Avittam. This day is marked by wearing a new holy thread by Hindu Brahmans and offering libations of water to the ancient Rishis. The day is also set apart for Brahmins to change their sacred thread they wear. This rakhi festival celebrates the emotions of a human being and reflects the joy and zeal of the sacred bond shared by a brother and his sister.
Significance of Rakhi
Rakhi Festival holds a lot of significance for the people of India. The day gives brothers and sisters an opportunity to strengthen their relationship and build stronger family ties. In a joyous and harmonious spirit siblings move back into the past and relive shared childhood memories.
Rakhi festival also stands for universal brotherhood. Today, people tie Rakhi to prisoners and orphans on humanitarian grounds and gift a reason to smile.
