| Occasion: | Raksha Bandhan |
| Location: | All over India |
| Festival Time: | July- August |
| What to eat: | Burfis, Vermicilli Kheer, Vegetable Pancakes, Pakoras, Malpua, Tamarind Rice, Khoya Burfi, Banana Cutlets. |
Thanks to the tradition and customs of India that it does have the festival
for almost every relations that a person shares in the family. The
celebration of togetherness, the celebration of being one family is also
celebrated in India. Raksha Bandhan is such festival that celebrates the
affection, fraternity and sublime sentiments of brotherhood. Raksha Bandhan
is also known as the bond of protection. No festival in India is complete
without the proper gathering, exchanging sweets and gifts, singing and
dancing. It is the regional festival to celebrate the relation between the
brothers and sisters. Previously the festival was celebrated in the north
and the western region of the country but soon it has been started to be
celebrated in the same verse and spirit in all over the country. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in the same way with the same tradition for many years. With the changing lifestyle the celebration has been more elaborated and lively and therefore the meaning of Raksha Bandhan has been changed. All the brother and sister try to reach out to each other on this auspicious occasion. For everyone it is the opportunity for the family reunion and celebration. The delicious dishes, wonderful sweets and gifts are exchanged between the people. For the people who lives far away the Rakhi cards, e-rakhis, and Rakhis through mails acts as the communication between them. It represents the personal feelings of the siblings.
Tradition and Customs of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is the occasion of the sacred bond of love and affection between siblings with lots of verve. It is basically the north Indian festival which is now celebrated all over the world to express the emotions, love and affection. On the day of the festival sisters ties Rakhi on the wrist of her brother and both worships god for the well being of each other. 'Aarti' and 'tilak' is done by the by the sisters which marks the celebration of the festival. In return brothers makes the promise to take care of the sister under all types of circumstances.
Rituals:
The fancy Rakhis and delicious sweets are prepared before the advent of the month of Shravan. According to the Indian tradition the family members the people gets ready early in the morning to perform the rituals. The people used to take the bath early in the morning to purify the mind and soul before the start of any preparations. Sisters prepare the Thali which consists of roli, tilak, Rakhi threads, rice grains, agarbattis (incense sticks), diyas and sweets.
Shloka for Raksha Bandhan:
"Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej
Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee",
Which means "The sun radiates its sunlight, the radish spreads its seeds,
I tie the rakhi to you O brother and wish that may you live long."
"Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah
tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala"
This means," I tie you the rakhi that was tied to king Bali, the king of Demons,
O Rakhi I pray that you never falter in protecting your devotee.
Meaning and Significance of Raksha Bandhan:
In India the relationships has an essence of any celebration that holds a special place in India. Raksha Bandhan is the festival that celebrates the love and affection between the siblings and wish for the happiness and goodwill of each other. The word 'Raksha Bandhan' means the 'a bond of protection'. On this day brothers make promises to take care of their sister for all through the life. Brothers pray to god to protect her sister from all evil.
Rakhi Utsav was popularized by Rabindranath Tagore to promote the feeling of unity and commitment for all the members of the society to protect each other from evil and encourage the harmony in the family.
Rakhi Celebration:
Rakhi is celebrated to strengthen the relationship and the bond of love between the brother and sister that fosters brotherhood. This festival is not a ritual that can change over the time but it can only changed by the style and by the contemporary time. Before one month of the commencement of the festival many fancy and colorful Rakhis are flooded in the market. Ladies shop for the fancy Rakhis, cards, gifts for their brother. They shop for new clothes, and beautiful gifts specially for the one whose brothers are staying far away.
