Raksha Bandhan

About

Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between siblings. Raksha means protection and bandhan means a tie. A sister ties a rakhi (decorative thread) on her brother's wrist, applies a tilak, offers sweets and prays for his wellbeing. The brother gives a gift and promises to look after her. Today the festival also includes sisters tying rakhis on sisters, brothers on brothers, cousins, close friends and relatives who are like family.

It falls on Shravana Purnima, the full moon of Shravana. The date is the same in the Purnimanta and Amanta calendars. The same day is Narali Purnima in Maharashtra, Avani Avittam (sacred thread renewal) in the South (for many Yajurveda families).

Significance and stories

Several stories are told. In one, Indrani tied a protective thread on Indra's wrist before a battle with demons. In another, Draupadi tore a piece of her sari to bind Krishna's injured finger, and he vowed to protect her. In a third, Goddess Lakshmi tied a rakhi on King Bali to bring Vishnu home. A popular tale about Queen Karnavati sending a rakhi to the Mughal ruler Humayun is also told, though historians doubt its details.

All these tales share one idea: a thread of love and trust that goes beyond blood. The festival is also a reminder of the mutual responsibility within a family.

How to observe (puja vidhi)

1. Check the Panchang for the correct window. Avoid tying the rakhi during Bhadra, which is a restricted period of the day that is considered inauspicious for it.
2. Bathe and dress in clean or new clothes. The sister prepares a plate (thali) with the rakhi, roli, rice, a lamp, sweets and a coconut or dry fruit.
3. Brother and sister sit together. Offer a short prayer to the family deity.
4. The sister lights the lamp, applies a tilak of roli and rice on the brother's forehead.
5. She ties the rakhi on his right wrist, often chanting a blessing or short mantra such as "येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः । तेन त्वामभिबध्नामि रक्षे मा चल मा चल ॥" (yena baddho bali raja danavendro mahabalah, tena tvam abhibadhnami rakshe ma chala ma chala). Wording varies slightly between sources. Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation.
6. She performs aarti and offers a sweet.
7. The brother gives a gift or blessing and promises to support her.
8. The family shares a meal together.

Puja items (samagri)

• Rakhi (silk, cotton or eco-friendly thread)
• Roli (kumkum), rice (akshat), turmeric
• A lamp, incense, camphor
• Sweets, dry fruit or coconut
• A decorated thali
• A small gift or envelope for the sister

Fasting and food

There is no strict fast, although many sisters keep a fast until they have tied the rakhi, and brothers sometimes do too. A simple vegetarian feast is shared afterward, with sweets such as kheer, ghewar, barfi or sewai. People with health conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and the elderly should follow their doctor's advice and may keep a lighter fast.

Regional customs

In Maharashtra the day is Narali Purnima, when coconuts are offered to the sea. In South India, many Brahmin families observe Avani Avittam and change the sacred thread (janeu). In Gujarat it is called Balev, and in Odisha it is Gamha Purnima. In Nepal, Janai Purnima is observed. In Rajasthan a lumba rakhi is tied on the bangle of a brother's wife. Customs vary; follow your family's custom.

Celebrating in the USA

Families often live in different states or countries. If your brother or sister is far away, send the rakhi by mail well in advance, since delivery can take a week or more internationally. Also look at timing for the sibling's time zone, since the Bhadra window will fall at a different local clock time. A video call at an auspicious local time lets you do the ritual together. If you cannot meet, a sibling can tie the rakhi before the call and remember you in prayer. Indian grocery stores and online shops sell rakhis, roli and sweets. If the festival falls on a workday, you can perform the ritual in the evening, provided it is within the permitted time, or at the next available suitable window.