Raksha Bandan is one of the most beautiful and meaningful festivals celebrated by the Hindus. The festival celebrates the special bond of love, care, respect, and protection between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan, usually in August. On this day, sisters prepare a Rakhi, a sacred and colour thread, and tie it around their brothers' wrists. They apply tika on their brothers’ foreheads, offer sweets and pray for their happiness, good health, and success. Brothers give gifts to their sisters and promise to always support and care for them. The festival brings happiness and strengthens the relationship between family members.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with greater excitement and enthusiasms. Before the festival, people clean and decorate their homes, buy new clothes, choose beautiful Rakhis, and prepare delicious food and sweet.
On the morning of Raksha Bandhan, family members gather together and prepare for the celebration. Sisters perform a small puja and then tie the Rakhi on their brothers’ wrists. After tying it, they put tika on their forehead and feed them sweets. The brothers, on the other hand, give gifts such as clothes, books, chocolates or other useful items to their sisters. Families then enjoy a special meal together, take photographs, talk with each other and spend quality time together. In modern times, siblings who live far away celebrate the day through video calls and sending virtual Rakhis or gifts by post.
Raksha Bandhan is mainly celebrated with brothers and sisters but the celebration often includes parents, grandparents, cousins, and other relatives. Sisters can celebrate with their own brothers as well as cousins and close family members.
The festival is not only about tying rakhi or exchanging gifts; it teaches us the importance of family, love, respect, responsibility and unity. It gives brothers and siters an opportunity to express their feelings and remember the special relationship they share, even if siblings have disagreements during the year. Raksha Bandhan is a joyful festival that brings families together and reminds us to care for and respect to one another.