Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu tradition that celebrated by thousands of Hindus to showcase the love and bond of brothers and sisters. On this day, the sister ties a Rakhi or string on the brother’s hand. She also performs puja and arati around her brother and applies a kumkum and rice grains tilak on his forehead. In return, the brother presents a gift to the sister.

Raksha means protection, and Bandhan means Bond, which purely indicates the protection bond. By binding the Rakhi, the sister takes a vow from her brother to protect her from all evil and bad influences, guide and guard her. Also, she prays for her brother’s longevity and happiness.

 

How the tradition started?

Centuries back in the time of Mahabharat, Draupadi slit a cotton thread from her saree and tied to Lord Krishna‘s wrist as he was injured. Krishna took an oath to protect Draupadi lifelong. And thus the brother-sister relationship developed between them. From that time, Hindus are carrying on the tradition each year.

Basically, the Raksha Bandhan celebration intimates the sister and brother’s emotion and love towards each other. The essence of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is to give blessings and provide protection to each other.

Celebrate this Raksha Bandhan festival with your brother/sister and take an oath to protect him/her with all your abilities and the admiration towards him/her.

Feature Image Credit: Image by Shantanu Kashyap from Pixabay. (free for commercial use)