On August 15th, 2019, on the full moon in the month of Shraavan (July-August), Hindu sisters and brothers prepare to strengthen their ties. This festival is considered highly auspicious as it expresses the protective bond between a brother and sister.
Sisters prepare their thaalis as they would for pooja, with a deeya, sweet offering, chandan, incense and so forth. First, they offer a prayer to God for long life, health and prosperity of their beloved brother. They then apply a teekaa. Aarti and incense are then offered, followed by the highlight of this festival, the tying of the sacred thread or raakhi on the brother’s wrist, and ending with the sweet, a delicious meethai. As is customary in Indian tradition, there is reciprocity. The brothers, in return, offer a small gift of appreciation to their sisters, whether it be an actual gift or a verbal endearment.
Raksha bandhan means “the protective bond or knot”. There are several origin stories from the scriptures for this popular festival that celebrates the familial tie between brother and sister. After her rescue from Lanka, it is said that Sita tied a rakhi on Lakshman’s wrist to invoke his further protection. Another origin story is that Savitri tied a rakhi to an unscrupulous suitor who wanted her affection; instead, he was obliged to be her protector. During the Mahabharata, it is said that Draupadi tied a rakhi on Shree Krishna’s wrist when he had injured his finger while using the sudarshan chakra. While it was bleeding, she tore a piece of her sari and tied it around the wound. In return, Shree Krishna promised to always protect Draupadi. In the Bhavishya Purana, Indra, King of the Devas, was advised by Deva Guru Brihaspati to wear a rakhi as a protection against demons.
Historically, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore started a Raksha Bandhan festival during the Partition of Bengal (1905) and asked Hindu and Muslim women to tie rakhis on men from the opposing side, making them their brothers and protectors. While its main significance is still to strengthen and uphold the relationship between a sister and brother, the festival has evolved over the years. Rakhis are sometimes tied between men that are considered to be brothers or who have assumed a protective attitude towards their “sister”. When a woman ties a rakhi on a man’s wrist, he is obliged by religious honour and duty to protect her. This festival widens one’s vision beyond the boundaries of one’s own family to the entire human race, signifying the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, “the world is one family”.
