Significance of Rakhi

The festival of Rakhi has undergone many changes. Today Rakhi celebrations center around the brother-sister relationship, it was not always so. In the olden days, Rakhi thread was tied for protection or raksha. Anybody, a wife, a daughter or a mother could tie this Rakhi thread. Rishis tied Rakhii on the wrist of people who came to seek their blessings. Sages also used to tie this sacred thread to safe guard themselves from evil. Rakhi day is an occasion when every sin is washed away 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 communities as a whole. Some people tie Rakhee to neighbours and close friends signifying the special bond shared between them.

Rakhi reflects the silent pledge of morality, spirituality and respect towards Indian culture and values. In every part of India, Rakhi festival is celebrated in different styles and ways. As people reach out to each other on this day, Raksha Bandhan is a festival that binds families together.

Rakhi Day Celebrations

Tying The Rakhi Thread
On this auspicious day sisters tie the holy thread called a Rakhi, which is a bond of protection, on brother’s right wrist. The Rakhi signifies the promise that the brother will protect his sister from all harm and a prayer from the sister to protect her brother from evil. Although, this ritual is primarily understood to take place between brothers and sisters, but is not limited to this relationship only. It is basically a vow taken to protect and preserve and can involve non-blood relationships like a mother and child, friends and even wife and husband. In fact in several parts of India, especially Rajasthan, sisters tie Lumba Rakhi on the wrist of their brother's wife or bhabhi. This special tradition of nanad tying Rakhi on her sister-in-law's wrist is said to sweeten the bond of love between them.

On a Rakhi Day
Any Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi celebration comprises of many rituals practiced by members of a family, especially brothers and sisters. The day begins with the sister and brother taking a bath and wearing brand new clothes. The sister then prepares the Rakhi thali or Pooja thali. This thali has has rice and haldi (turmeric) for performing the ceremony of tilak (wherein sisters use the third finger of the right hand to mark her brother's forehead with the paste and rice), a diya or a tealight candle for the aarti or prayer, sweets as an offering and the Rakhi. Once ready with the thali the sister will apply the tilak to her brother’s forehead, recite prayers while tying the Rakhi around his wrist and then offer him the sweets.