Rakshabandhan, The Bondage Of Eternal Love

By Author: Luther King
Total Articles: 442
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India is replete with celebrations and festivals commemorating almost all the spectrums of life. Rakhi is one such occasion where the abiding love between brothers and sisters are celebrated. This festival is also known as Rakshabandhan or the bond of protection.
The Raksha bandhan usually falls in the second week of August. The exact date is the full moon night of the month of Shravan or the Shravana Pournami. Hence, the festival is also known as Rakhi Purnima.
Raksha Bandhan in the Epics
The epics of the past hold ample testimony to the commemoration of Raksha Bandhan especially during the time of wars. When the heroes set out to fight wars, their sisters would apply the ritualistic tilak on their foreheads and tie the sacred bands on their wrists as an abiding sign of their prayers for the heroes’ victorious and safe return.
The historical association
History says that the celebration of Rakshabandhan gained acceptance during the Mughal era in Indian history. Rani Karnavadi, the Queen of Chitoor was struggling to protect her kingdom on the death of her husband. Finally, she sent a message ...
... to the Mughal Emperor Humayun seeking his help. The message was accompanied by a decorative band or the Rakhi. Humayun accepted the symbol as an entreaty to defend and protect, and swore to keep his word, thereby accepting Karnavadi as his sister.
The rituals associated with Rakhi
Rakhi is mainly celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. The rituals include the offering of sweets to the brother by the sister, followed by the tying of the Rakhi or the decorative band around his wrists on the morning of Shravana Pournami. The sister pledges her undying love and caring for the brother. She is also duty bound to pray for his well being through the tying of the Rakhi.
The male sibling takes the solemn vow to protect and safeguard her through her life time. Indian women also perform the rituals of Raksha Bandhan for their male cousins. Once she feeds him sweets, the next ritual is the giving of gifts by the brother.
The gifts of Rakhi
The hallmark of the celebration of Rakhi is the offering of gifts by the brother. The sisters look forward for it with a great deal of anticipation and pleasure. The usual gifts that are given are envelopes containing cash or money. Sometimes, items of dressing like saris or other articles of clothing are given as gifts.
Greeting cards containing beautiful messages of sibling love are also exchanged during Rakhi. Sweets like Jalebi and ladoos and chocolates are given as gifts. The nature of gifts has undergone change with the passage of time.
At present, almost anything is gifted during Raksha Bandhan. In fact, you can even buy designer gift items and special Raksha Bandhan gift hampers for this occasion. Of course, such gifts would cost you much more, but they are sure to make your sister feel cherished and special.
Thus, this festival is a unique celebration of the eternal bonding between brothers and sisters and a reinforcement of their mutual love.

Luther King writes articles on gift ideas, tips on rakhi gifts to vizag and rakhi gifts to nellore.