“Raksha Bandhan” The bonding between a brother and a sister
By Er Arun Patanaik
Jajpur, Aug 20 : The bonding between a brother and a sister is simply unique and is beyond description in words. The relationship between siblings is extraordinary and is given importance in every part of the world. However, when it comes to India, the relationship becomes all the more important as there is a festival called “Raksha Bandhan” dedicated for the sibling love.
Raksha Bandhan is one of the most important festivals of Hindus. On this day sisters tie rakhi to their brothers. This festival is celebrated at an auspicious time. This festival also has sacred reasons behind being celebrated.
Raksha Bandhan has been made from two different words ‘Raksha’ and ‘Bandhan’, here the word Raksha has been taken from Sanskrit word ‘raksika’. Raksha means ‘to protect’ and Bandhan means ‘to tie’. So, basically, the meaning of Raksha Bandhan is to tie a thread for protection. The sister uses to worship her brother and then ties rakhi.
She also applies Tilak on the forehead of her brother. Then she makes her brother eat sweet with her own hand out of love. The brother also brings beautiful gifts for his sister. For me, the main reason behind loving this festival is wearing new clothes, applying Mehandi in hand, and getting attractive presents from brothers.
The celebration of the grand tradition of Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of unity. Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is one of the biggest festivals of the Hindus celebrated worldwide. This is the festival of love and affection between brothers and sisters.
Rakhi festival, which is mainly related to North and Western areas of India, but nowadays people are celebrating it with the same enthusiasm all over the country. The way of celebration of festivals in various places in India and Worlds may differ, but the motive is always the same.
All states of India celebrate Raksha Bandhan with various names. The importance of Raksha Bandhan varies with every country and region. Raksha Bandhan has a different significance in the southern and coastal areas.
People in northern and north-western parts of India celebrate Raksha Bandhan as Rakhi Purnima. The festival of Rakhi is a celebration of the sacred bond of love between a brother and a sister. In the Western Ghats States, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka states, people celebrate Raksha Bandhan as Narial Purnima.
Here Rakhi symbolizes the beginning of a new season for people dependent on the sea business, This festival is also called Shravan or Kajari Purnima in Madhya, Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar. Rakhi is an essential day for farmers and women who have sons. People of Gujarat celebrate Raksha Bandhan as Pavitropana.
Rakhi is the holy day for Hindu people when they all worship Lord Shiva. Raksha Bandhan is the culmination of the prayers made throughout the year. Traditionally, on the day of Rakhi, the worship plate is prepared by sisters, which contain Lamp, Rice, Roli, Deep, and Rakhi. S
isters worship the deities and bind Rakhi on the brother’s wrist. The sister binds Rakhi on the brother’s wrist, and both pray for the welfare of each other and the brother prays in all situations to take care of her sister. Sisters in the festival of Rakhi wished for a long life of her beloved brother and brothers promises to protect sister throughout her life. On the day of Rakhi, all the brothers give gifts to their sisters.
This festival is celebrated with the same tradition still now, but over the centuries and new generation, the enthusiasm and celebration did in a monumental event. Now this ceremony has been celebrated more and more widely.
In the middle of the festival, ritual people follow with devotion. Rakhi and sweets people purchase before the full moon, but some sisters make mithai or sweets on their home According to tradition, all members of the family are prepared for this ritual soon.
Before starting any preparation, they take a bath to cleanse the mind and body. Sisters make Diya plate for worship. It contains rakhi, rice, kumkum powder, dia, incense sticks, and sweets. In return, blesses siblings and promises to save her from the evils of the world. T
he sister tie the rakhi on his brother’s hand. Every brother gives a sweet gift to sisters for their love and affection. Customs and tradition can vary slightly in every area, but this festival is the same aura.
here are many mythological stories behind celebrating the Rakhi festival, but the most important is the story of Lord Krishna and Draupadi. Once it was the time of Makar Sankranti. Lord Krishna was cutting sugarcane for the worship of God, only then accidentally got hurt by a knife in one of his fingers. Seeing this, Rani Rukmani immediately ordered some cloth to bind on Krishnas wound.
In the same place, Draupadi was also present. When Draupadi saw that Lord Krishna was bleeding with the finger, he immediately tore a piece of her sari and tied it on Krishna wound. Seeing this, Krishna pledged to help and protect Draupadi throughout his life.
After many years when Kauravas try to insult and strip Draupadi cloth, Lord Krishna helped him to save her respect and life. So, all the sisters of India celebrate this festival happily and still follow this tradition. Raksha Bandhan shows immense love among the siblings.
It is a festival of exchange of pure love. I love to celebrate Raksha Bandhan and this year too I am eagerly waiting for the festival to arrive as it is my most favorite festival.
