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.

Indian Heritage Festival of Raksha Bandhan

As with other Indian festivals, Rakhi also follows the festival calender that is completely based on the weather changes and their significance in the lives of people.

Origins of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan
The festival of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is understood to have a history of around 6000 years. It came into existence with Aryans when they created The Indus Valley Civilization. Raksha Bandhan has a rich Indian mythological base. Many historically significant epics are related to the origin and the subsequent development of Rakhi. This festival also finds a mention in most of the Indian epics.

Rakhi – How Much a Religious Festival
Rakhi is considered by many of us as having a religious origin. But, there have been many occasions in history that have emphasized the relationship between a brother and a sister more than the religious side of it. Gradually, over the centuries and over time Rakhi has lost its original outlook that made everyone associate it with the Hindu religion. There have been many instances in history that have made this transition a reality.

The Sacred Bond Between Brother and Sister
Raksha Bandhan is a term from the Hindi language which means a relationship or an association based on protection. This is a festival which has a long standing Indian heritage. More commonly known as Rakhi, this Indian festival signifies the sacred bond of love between a brother and sister. On this day, sisters tie a Rakhi on their brothers wrists and expect Rakhi gifts in return.

Meaning & Significance of Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrating the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. The day when the siblings pray for each others' well being and wish for each others' happiness and goodwill. As the name 'Raksha Bandhan' suggests, 'a bond of protection', Raksha Bandhan is a pledge from brothers to protect the sister from all harms and troubles and a prayer from the sister to protect the brother from all evil.

The festival falls on the Shravan Purnima (full moon day of shravan month) which comes generally in the month of August. The sisters tie the silk thread called rakhi on their brother's wrist and pray for their well being and brothers promise to take care of their sisters.

The Significance
Though now it is considered as a brother and sister festival, it was not always so. There have been examples in history where in rakhi has just been a raksha or protection. It could be tied by wife, a daughter or mother. The Rishis tied rakhi to the people who came seeking their blessings. The sages tied the sacred thread to themselves to safe guard them from the evil. It is by all means the 'Papa Todak, Punya Pradayak Parva' or the day that bestows boons and end all sins as it is mentioned in the scriptures.

Raksha Bandhan assumes all forms of Raksha or protection, of righteousness and destroyer of all sin. The rakhi tying ritual has become so much a part of the families that come what may brothers and sisters try to reach out to each other on this particular day bringing back the oneness of the family, binding the family together in an emotional bond.