Raksh Bandhan is the celebration the bond between a brother and a sister and is celebrated with much affection and adoration. This year the festival falls on August 3, 2020. And this brother-sister relationship is regarded as the most dedicated and powerful connection. It is also like the festival of Bhai Dooj. On the day of Raksha Bandhan, brothers present gifts to their sisters and the sister also proffers gifts to brothers after she ties a rakhi around his wrist. Hence, Raksha Bandhan gifts are mandatory for both to buy.
It is considered as one of the most prestigious festivals in Hindu culture. The name, Raksha Bandhan, transmutes to ‘Protection Bond’, which implies the commitment to protect. On this auspicious day, the sisters tie ‘Rakhi’ around the wrist of their brothers. The Rakhi string is regarded as holy because it mentions the word a brother makes to her sister that he will guard her till death. On this occasion, sisters pray the goodness and well being of their brothers and also get gifts from their brother.
History
One of the most famous tales of Raksha Bandhan in India is associated with the Mughal period while there was a conflict between Rajputs and the Mughals. Traditions have it that when the widowed Empress of Chittor, Karnavati, saw a crisis in her state, she sent a Rakhi to Mughal emperor Humayun and asked for help to defend her state opposite the invasion of Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. According due honour to the string that Karnavati had sent, Humayun quickly sent his troops to Chittor to guard her.
It is assumed that Draupadi once ripped a piece of her sari and bound it on Krishna’s wrist, which stopped Krishna’s bleeding from a battleground injury. Krishna then claimed her as his sister. In return, Lord Krishna shielded Draupadi, when she was molested by the Kauravas in presence of Pandavas, who had succumbed her in gambling odds.
Raksha Bandhan also sees its ties to the parturition of Goddess Santoshi, and the association of Goddess Laxmi and King Bali apportioned amongst many other tales of comparable nature. There is also a feeling that Raksha Bandhan was even supported by Lord Yamaraj and his sister Yamuna. Yamuna attached Rakhi to Yamaraj and offered salvation.
Whatever be the tales or fables connected with the festival, it is observed with full enthusiasm with a touch of modern bearings. The significance of Rakhi is not confined to regular people and their relatives.
In the modern interpretation of this ritual, the roles can go either way. The attention shifts from the religious aspect to a more playful exchange of gifts and a mutual understanding of peace, at least for a day! Sometimes rakhis are tied to elder sister if one doesn’t have an older brother, sometimes rakhis are tied to friends and distant relatives, especially in the case of single children. No matter how it is carried out, the essence remains the same, the rakhi is tied to someone who has been caring and nurturing towards you, always looking out for you, gender and relations are secondary.
