The Meaning of Raksha Bandhan

Relationships are the essence of any festivity and it holds true for any Indian
festival. Each occasion brings the family together which calls for a celebration.
Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of one such relation - that of a brother and a sister.
This relationship is no where so celebrated as in India. Raksha Bandhan is a festival
which celebrates the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. It is a day
when siblings pray for each others' well being and wish for each others' happiness
and goodwill.

The name 'Raksha Bandhan' suggests 'a bond of protection'. On this auspicious day,
brothers make a promise to their sisters to protect them from all harms and
troubles and the sisters pray to God to protect their brother from all evil. The
festival falls on the Shravan Purnima which comes generally in the month of August.
Sisters tie the silk thread called Rakhi on their brother's wrist and pray for their well
being and brothers promise to take care of their sisters.

The Significance
Raksha Bandhan is now considered as a day to celebrate the sacred relation of a
brother and a sister. Yet there have been examples in history where in rakhi has
just been a raksha or protection. It could be tied by wife, a daughter or mother. The
Rishis tied rakhi to the people who came seeking their blessings. The sages tied the
sacred thread to themselves to safe guard them from the evil. It is by all means the
'Papa Todak, Punya Pradayak Parva' or the day that bestows boons and end all sins
as it is mentioned in the scriptures.

Previously, Rakhi festival encompasses the warmth shared between the siblings but
now it goes way beyond it. Some people tie Rakhi to neighbours and close friends
signifying a peaceful co-existence of every individual. Rakhi Utsav was first
popularized by Rabindranath Tagore to promote the feeling of unity and a
commitment to all members of society to protect each other and encourage a
harmonious Social life.

In today's scenario, the day has a different perspective. The occasion involves a
pledge of life-time practice of moral, cultural and spiritual values. The values and
the sentiments attached to the rituals of this festival are worth inculcating by the
whole human race, the sentiments of harmony and peaceful coexistence. The
festival of Raksha Bandhan assumes all forms of Raksha or protection, of
righteousness and destroyer of all sin. The ritual of Rakhi tying has become so
important that come what may, brothers and sisters try to visit each other place on
this particular day tin order to bring back the oneness of the family, binding the
family together in an emotional bond of love.