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Raksha Bandhan - Rakhi or the Bond of Protection
It is celebrated by the Hindus, Sikhs and Jains
Raksha Bandhan falls on the full moon day of Shravan month according to the Hindu calendar
Mythological significance
This is the festival which signifies the bond between a brother and sister. There are many such stories that date us back to the history of this Raksha Bandhan. Krishna and Draupadi:
There is one incident from the very famous epic Mahabharata that is related with lord Krishna and Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas. Once Draupadi had torn a piece of her sari and tied that piece to the index finger of Lord Krishna to stop the flow of blood. By this Lord Krishna was so impressed and he was bound with the sister-brother relationship. Lord Krishna promised Draupadi to protect her for rest of his life. Draupadi trusted Lord Krishna besides being wife of the 5 great warriors and daughter of the powerful emperor.
King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi
Legends say that king Bali who was a demon, believed in worshipping Lord Vishnu. The kingdom of Lord Vishnu was under his protection, leaving his own residence which was located in Vaikunth. Goddess Lakshmi was there with Lord Krishna at his residence. Later she visited Bali as a masqueraded of a Brahmin to ask for shelter till her consort returns back. On the occasion of the Shravan Purnima she tied a thread on the wrist of King Bali. After tying the thread she narrated the whole story introducing her and why she visited him. By hearing this Bali was completely touched to see her concern for his family.
Yama and Yamuna
According to the tradition Raksha Bandhan was traditionally followed by the Lord Yama and Yamuna his sister. Yamuna had tied Rakhi to her Brother Yama and bestowed sin. Yama was so touched by the serenity with this bond that he declared that anyone in the universe gets the Rakhi tied on their hand from their sister and who protect their sister will become immortal.
Celebration of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is now measured as a moment to celebrate the unique relationship of affection between the brother and sister. This Rakhi can also be tied by the daughter, wife or mother asking for protection. Sister's selects the best Rakhi's for their brothers along with this they also buy sweets. They decorate their Puja thali with few grains of rice, diya, sweet, Rakhi, vermillion and a gold ornament for doing the aarti. After the aarti brother promise to protect her for rest of his life in all circumstances and in return offers a gift to her sister.
Traditional food
Raksha Bandhan is a Festival where all the family members come together and celebrate with great enthusiasm. There are many traditional dishes that are prepared on this special occasion such as Ghevar, mal Pua, vermicelli kheer, pista Burfi, kesar Burfi and rava ladoo.
Raksha Bandhan is that festival which is totally devoted to the exceptional bond of love and warmth that is shared between all the brothers and sisters.
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