Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan, also known as the Festival of Threads, is one of the most eagerly awaited holidays on the Hindu calendar. On this day, brothers and sisters renew their ties and give and receive presents from one another. Now which little girl wouldn’t agree with that? Blessed are the sisters who have many brothers!
Indeed, on Raksha Bandhan 2023 which occurs this year on August 30, if you are Hindu and have a brother, you will want to get together with him wherever you are. This traditional Hindu celebration takes place on the full moon in the month of Shravan. Brothers promise to safeguard their sisters in exchange for sisters praying for their brothers’ health and well-being and wrapping the holy Rakhi thread around their wrists.
According to legend, Draupadi and Lord Krishna formed a bond after she tore a piece of her saree to bandage his damaged finger. Ever since then, he has been there for her whenever she needs him. According to the Mahabharata epic, Lord Krishna made sure that her sari remained endless in order to respect her modesty when she was being mistreated by the Kaurava princes who were attempting to disrobe her.
On Rakhi, sisters prepare a platter with sweets and ceremonial objects and pray for the brother’s well-being while applying a tikka to his forehead and fastening a silken thread band around his wrist. The brother promises to be there for her no matter what while the sister feeds him sweets and receives a present from him in the form of money, clothing or jewelry. Families maintain the custom throughout time and it’s not uncommon to witness siblings who are now in their 70s, participating in the ceremony and strengthening their ties to one another.
Rakhi buying is essential, as are sweets for the occasion. In fact, the bazaars in India are ablaze with multicolored bracelets made of silken threads, bonbons and sequins weeks before the festivities. The Indian marketplaces in ethnic neighborhoods are ablaze with rakhis, glittering bands made of tinsel and sequins.
These days, online businesses have popped up and rakhis may be bought online as well. In fact, electronic rakhis or e-rakhis are delivered by hundreds of sisters to their brothers all over the world. Many years ago, siblings who lived far apart would utilize the postal service to give each other rakhis by stuffing them inside an envelope and shipping it halfway around the globe. Though all these varied versions have since taken their place, the sentiment is still the same.
Raksha Bandha 2023 also come to represent compassion for individuals who do not share a blood link with their siblings. Males with whom women have a platonic connection are frequently given a rakhi, designating them their “rakhi brother.” Children and employees also tie it on elderly people and authority figures. Generally, kids come together in the prime minister’s office to tie rakhis on the Indian prime minister until his entire arm is decorated with these joyful bands!
Rakhi’s meaning of compassion, intense love and a promise of protection endures and even intensifies with time. Bollywood songs frequently make reference to this vow between brothers and sisters with heartbreaking lyrics and the whole movie “Rakhi” is devoted to these feelings.
Each year, a new group of kids is introduced to this brother-sister relationship and with every passing year, the festival of Raksha Bandhan honors this bond of sibling love. It encompasses the ideals of protection, care and respect for one another and extends beyond simple rites and ceremonies. The Raksha Bandhan 2023 serves to remind siblings of their responsibilities to one another and the value of preserving and cherishing their relationship. It promotes gender equality and social peace across religious and cultural divides.
