One of the most secular of all festivals, Raksha Bandhan has also been universally accepted by one and all. The appeal of Rakhi lies in the basis of love shared between a brother and a sister. Also, the promise of being a lifelong protector and guardian binds those who take part in the ritual of tying the Rakhi thread.
Tying The Rakhi Thread
On this auspicious day sisters tie the holy thread called a Rakhi, which is a bond of protection, on brother's right wrist. The Rakhi signifies the promise that the brother will protect his sister from all harm and a prayer from the sister to protect her brother from evil. Although, this ritual is primarily understood to take place between brothers and sisters, but is not limited to this relationship only. It is basically a vow taken to protect and preserve and can involve non-blood relationships like a mother and child, friends and even wife and husband. In fact in several parts of India, especially Rajasthan, sisters tie Lumba Rakhi on the wrist of their brother's wife or bhabhi. This special tradition of nanad tying Rakhi on her sister-in-law's wrist is said to sweeten the bond of love between them.
Rakhi Celebrations Throughout India
Raksha Bandhan is the most commonly celebrated festival throughout India. There are many facets to this special occasion and on this day many different rituals or customs take place in different parts of the country.
The festival is commonly known as Rakhi or Kajri Purnima in North India. On this day, farmers worship Goddess Bhagwati as it is the beginning of the new year for crops when seeds are sown. In Western India this day is celebrated as Nariyal Purnima. Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is also called Nariyal Purnima which in Hindi literally means coconut full moon. In the Western Ghats that includes the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka, Rakhi signifies the beginning of a new season for people whose lifestyle and livelihood depends on sea.
Rakhi Purnima is called Avani Avittam or Upakarmam in southern parts of India, in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and parts of Orissa. It is an auspicious occasion for the Brahmins of these regions. The day is also called Upakarmam by the Brahmins who change their holy threads on this day.
On A Rakhi Day
Any Rakhi celebration comprises of many rituals practiced by members of a family, especially brothers and sisters. The day begins with the sister and brother taking a bath and wearing brand new clothes. The sister then prepares the Rakhi thali or Pooja thali. This thali has has rice and haldi (turmeric) for performing the ceremony of tilak (wherein sisters use the third finger of the right hand to mark her brother's forehead with the paste and rice), a diya or a tealight candle for the aarti or prayer, sweets as an offering and the Rakhi. Once ready with the thali the sister will apply the tilak to her brother's forehead, recite prayers while tying the Rakhi around his wrist and then offer him the sweets.
