It is impossible to put into words the special relationship shared by brothers and sisters. A sibling’s love and loyalty is unparalleled and universally valued for their significance.
India, however, elevates the significance of the bond between brothers and sisters by celebrating their devotion with a holiday called “Raksha Bandhan.”
Celebrations of this unique Hindu holiday, which honors the bond shared by brothers and sisters, take place all over India and neighboring countries like Nepal.
The full moon of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana, which falls in August by the Gregorian calendar, is the day on which Raksha Bandhan is celebrated.
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What Does Raksha Bandhan Mean?
Both “Raksha” and “Bandhan” are part of the name of the event. “Raksha” means “protection” and “Bandhan” means “to tie” in Sanskrit, hence the word for the holiday literally translates to “the tie or knot of protection.”
The festival as a whole is meant to represent the unbreakable bond between brothers and sisters of any kind. Apply for your Indian visa from Peru to join the Raksha Bandhan festival in India.
In addition to being celebrated by first and second cousins, it is also observed by sisters, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other such kinship groups.
Raksha Bandhan’s Significance in Numerous Faiths
- Northern and Western India, along with Nepal, Pakistan, and Mauritius, are where the festival is observed most by Hindus.
- And in the Jain religion, where priests distribute sacred threads to worshippers, the day is also highly significant.
- This celebration of sibling love is known as “Rakhardi” or “Rakhari” in Sikhism.
Why Do We Celebrate Raksha Bandhan?
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated to show obligation to one’s brother or sister. The purpose of the event is to recognize and honor any sibling bond between males and females, regardless of blood ties.
On this special day, sisters around the world tie rakhis around their brothers’ wrists and pray for their happiness, health, and long life. The brother, in exchange, presents his sister with gifts and pledges to keep her safe at all costs.
This holiday is also observed by distant brothers and sisters who may only be cousins or grandparents apart. Check this easy process to apply for an Indian visa from Poland without visiting the Indian embassy.
What is the Origin of Raksha Bandhan Festival?
Several legends surround the origins and subsequent celebrations of Raksha Bandhan, a festival honoring the bond between brothers and sisters that have been observed for millennia.
Here are brief summaries of a few of the many stories found in Hindu mythology:
Story of Goddess Lakshami and King Bali
After defeating the demonic king Bali and reclaiming the three realms for himself, Lord Vishnu was invited to reside at the palace with him, as recounted in the Puranas of the Hindu religion.
After hearing the demon king’s plea, the Lord decided to move in with him. But Vishnu’s wife Lakshmi yearned to go back to Vaikuntha, where she had first met her husband. She, therefore, made the demon king Bali her brother by tying the rakhi around his wrist.
She then requested Bali to release her husband from the vow so that he might return to Vaikuntha with her as the return gift from the goddess. The god Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi were allowed to return to their home after Bali granted their request.
The Story of Santoshi Maa
Apparently, Shubh and Labh, two of Lord Ganesha’s sons, were dissatisfied with their lack of a sister. They begged their father for a sibling, and after hearing from the holy man Narada, he granted their wish.
Thus, on the festival of Raksha Bandhan, Lord Ganesha’s two sons received their sister, Santoshi Maa, who had been formed by the deity by the use of heavenly fires.
The Story of Krishna and Draupadi
Draupadi, the Pandava’s wife, is said to have tied a rakhi to Krishna, and her daughter-in-law Kunti is said to have tied a rakhi to her grandson Abhimanyu, just before the epic battle, according to the Mahabharata.
Myself Aditya and I am from Mumbai, India. As an intern, I joined the local news agency in Mumbai named “The Mumbai News”. Now I am working with various News Agencies and I provide them reports from Mumbai and other parts of India.
