Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2014
Venue: Celebrated all over India
About Rakhi Festival
Raksha Bandhan, also known as the Rakhi festival is one of the most famous festivals in India. Depending on the Hindu calendar, every year its celebrated usually in the month of August (on the auspicious Purnima day in Shravana month).
The festival celebrates the love between brothers and sisters.
The literal meaning of “Raksha Bandhan” is “Bond of protection” (Raksha means protection in Hindi), where the brothers vow to look after and protect their sisters (from all the evil forces), and the sister prays to God for the well-being, long life and prosperity of her brothers.
Its among the bigger festivals, celebrated with great joy and excitement in every corner of India.
What is Rakhi
On this day sisters tie ‘Rakhi’ (which is basically a silken thread that comes in various designs nowadays) around the wrist of their brothers. The Rakhi symbolizes the love between brothers and sisters, and also symbolizes protection of the good from evil forces.
The ritual is usually done in the morning (though there’s no particular time to do the ritual within the day). Once the girl ties the Rakhi and does Pooja of her brother (for their well-being), brothers are expected to give gifts (or money) to their sisters.
On the day of Raksha Bandhan, people (especially those with brothers or sisters) wear new/traditional clothes. Sweets and chocolates are bought, special dishes are prepared at home.
Popular Festival in India
The importance & popularity of the festival can be gauged by the fact that several Indian movies have scenes showing the ritual between brothers & sisters, with several evergreen songs dedicated to this festival.
If you’re a foreign tourist who happen to be in India around this time, you just cannot escape noticing the celebrations of this wonderful festival.
