Indian Festival Raksha Bandhan: Check history, Significance and how it’s celebrated

Raksha Bandhan is a traditional Hindu festival, that celebrates the bond between a brother and a sister. The name of the festival translates to "the bond of protection" to celebrate the unique relationship of love and care between siblings.

The occasion is observed on the full moon day in the Shravana month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, usually falling in August according to the Gregorian calendar.

History of Raksha Bandhan

The celebration of Raksha Bandhan dates back centuries ago. It also holds a mythological significance where instances of this auspicious festival are recorded.

Draupadi and Krishna

One of the most known stories is of Lord Krishna and Draupadi, the wife of five Pandavabrothers. According to the Mahabharata, Draupadi ripped a strip of her saree and tied it around Lord Krishna's injured finger. He returned her sisterly love and care by promising to protect her, which he did in the future when Kauravas tried to disrobe her.

King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi

According to Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana, Lord Vishnu had accepted the request of the demon King Bali to stay in his palace after winning the three worlds. Goddess Lakshmi disguised as a Brahmin woman and tied Rakhi on King Bali's wrist on the day of Shravan Purnima during a full moon to let her husband return to their home.

Yama and Yamuna

When the river Yamuna visited her brother, Yama, the God of Death, he was touched by her love and granted her a wish. Whoever bathed in her waters and prayed on the day of Raksha Bandhan would be blessed with protection.

Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun

During the Mughal invasion in the 16th century, Rajputana Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of the king of Chittor, sent a Rakhi to Mughal Emperor Humayun to protect her kingdom from the invasion of Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat. Moved by the gesture, the Emperor marched towards Chittor with his soldiers to protect her.

Swadeshi Movement

During the partition of Bengal in 1905, the British rulers wanted to divide the state along religious lines. People tied Rakhi on each other's wrists to show the unity between the Hindu and Muslim communities.

Significance of Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan holds a deeper meaning than just tying the decorative thread on the wrists of brothers by their sisters. The tying of Rakhi symbolises the love, affection, and protection between the two. In return, the brother offers the sister a token of appreciation, usually as a gift.

This exchange shows mutual support and love between siblings, cousins, or any person with whom you share a brother-sister bond. Today, Raksha Bandhan transcends religious and cultural boundaries, emphasising the importance of relationships, love and protection that people share.

(With inputs from agencies)