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.

Rakhi Gift Ideas for Married Sisters

As a married woman, your sister now has so many new relationships that enrich her life. And that is why she is in a place of her life where she values the meaning of having a thoughtful brother or sister more than ever. Some such ideas are presented herewith in the form of Rakhi gifts for married sisters.

Decoratives as Raksha Bandhan Gifts
There are many choices available for you to send as Rakhi gifts for your sister, but the final gift idea should be according to her taste in decorating. Go in for artistic showpieces or sculptures as souvenirs of love from you to her. Paintings, wall hangings or other desk top decoratives are also good examples for Rakhi gifts for her.

Home Appliances as Gifts for Your Sister
The gesture of gift giving has to appear meaningful and not just a formality. You may go in for electronic gadget, kitchen appliances, furniture or other household gifts like bed covers, crockery etc. depending on your budget and her requirement.

Clothes / Accessories for Her on Rakhi
The sense of style and dressing is to to be a major consideration for you when going gift shopping for clothes and/or accessories. Some examples of Rakhi gifts for married sisters are sarees, salwar suits, western formal wear, informals. Accessories like wrist watches, handbags, scarves are also great Rakhi gift ideas.

3 Amazing Rakhi Gifts For a Teenage Sister

If you have a teen sister, you will very well know how difficult it is to shop for her. Choosing a gift for her too is a sensitive issue. At this age and stage of life, girls have become their own persons and have a distinct personality of their own. The Rakhi gift ideas covered here will guide you to choosing the perfect gift for your teenage sister on Rakhi.

Personalized Gifts for Your Sister on Rakhi
If you feel your sister possess loads of everything and doesn't really need something, go in for personalized Rakhi gifts. So even if she has loads of mugs, T-shirts, watches, pendants or bracelets, a personalized gift that bears her name will always hold that special place for her.

Fashionable Cosmetics as Raksha Bandhan Gifts
This is the age when most young girls begin the transformation into young ladies with their distinctive personalities. Presentation of their own self thus becomes an essential part of their approach towards life.

Silver or Pearl Jewelry as Rakhi Gifts for Her
The basic feature that is to be considered while going Rakhi gift shopping for your sister is the craftsmanship, authenticity and durability of the jewelry. One fashion trends that is very much in vogue these days is of silver and pearl jewelry.

Invaluable Pointers For Choosing Rakhi Gifts

Selecting gifts for someone you love and care for is not always an easy task. Here are 5 tips that will make this process slightly easier.

Before arranging for the gift, try to think from the recipients end. What will he/she love and also what value does your gift hold for them?

Be creative and innovative and do not repeat previous year's Rakhi gift idea even if it was a huge success.

The gift should conform to the personality type of your sibling. A mismatched gift idea would spoil the feel of the occasion.

A surprise is almost a sure shot way of pleasing your loved ones. But, if you are not so sure about the kind of Rakhi gift that will work, it is better to consult your sibling than go wrong with the present.

Avoid going in for common ideas when it comes to gifting. It is advisable to go in for personalised gifts or Rakhi gifts that are a true representation of the recipient.

Three Popular Rakhi Gift Ideas for Brothers

Brothers look forward to getting something from their sisters on Rakhi day. And, especially so if it is a younger brother then it is a foregone conclusion that he expects many tokens of love from his sister called Rakhi gifts. Here we present some gift ideas for brothers that will make the gift shopping decisions easy to make for any sister.

Apparels make for conventional and safe gift ideas for brothers. Depending on his style of dressing and his personality, one could choose from traditional Indian wear to Western wear, from comfortable to stylish, from formals to informals and so on.

Accessories are another gift idea that would wonders with your brother. Sunglasses or shades, watches, ties, brooches, belts, cufflinks are some Rakhi gifts for brothers that one could choose from. A gift of accessories can even be teamed up as Rakhi presents with clothes or apparels.

Video games or games CDs are a gift that most brothers would love to have. Before going in for any technological gifts on Rakshabandhan, it is essential to research a and explore on this field in detail.