India is a land of festivals, and Indians tend to celebrate these festivals with their close ones and neighbors. All festivals have a certain uniqueness among themselves. Raksha Bandhan is one of the festivals among these. Raksha Bandhan is a festival for the most loveable bond, the bond of brother and sister. As we dig deeper into this festival, let us have a look at How Raksha Bandhan is celebrated?
Raksha Bandhan is a holy festival with historical importance. Raksha Bandhan is a festival for siblings and is practiced in all parts of the world. Everyone has a unique way of celebrating this festival. However, in India during the festival of Raksha Bandhan Sister ties a holy thread known as Rakhi around the wrist of her brother and wishes for long life. The tying of Rakhi is accompanied by pooja and applying tilak on the forehead of the brother.
Why is Raksha Bandhan celebrated?
Raksha Bandhan is a holy festival. This festival reflects love among the siblings. Raksha Bandhan is observed due to its mythological reference, Indrani used to tie a holy thread across the wrist of Indra to protect him from demons and evils. Following the same practice during Raksha Bandhan, the sister ties Rakhi across the wrist of the brother to protect him from all the wrongs and lead a long life.
Raksha Bandhan is now not only limited to siblings having blood relations but it has stretched its boundaries.
When is Raksha Bandhan celebrated?
Shravan being the month of festivals, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in the month of Shravan too on a full moon, according to the Hindu calendar. But as per the Gregorian calendar, this festival lies in August. For how long is Raksha Bandhan celebrated?
Raksha Bandhan is observed depending on the calendar in use. It is observed for 1-2 days according to the Hindu calendar. While it is generally celebrated for 11-12 hours in a single day according to the Gregorian calendar.
How is Raksha Bandhan celebrated all over the country?
Raksha Bandhan is a festival of love and respect among siblings. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in India in unique ways. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in different styles in different states respecting their culture.
How Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in North
Raksha Bandhan is followed prominently in the northern states of the country which includes the region of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and other northern states.
Many states in northern India observe the same style of celebrating this festival; this starts with buying Rakhi. Sisters tend to buy different styles of holy threads namely Rakhi for their brothers. There are various types of Rakhi available, sisters look out for unique types and colorful Rakhi for their brothers.
The next step comprises tying the Rakhi across the brother’s wrist and praying for long and healthy life, accompanied by performing pooja and applying tilak on the forehead of the brother, and in the end, a sweet/dessert is fed to sweeten the mouth of the brother.
In return for this act, brothers give gifts to their sisters, these gifts can be in terms of money or any other tangible gifts like jewelry, dress, etc.
How Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in East
The Eastern regions of India which includes West Bengal and Odisha follow Raksha Bandhan according to their own cultural beliefs this occasion is known as Jhulan. Lord Krishna and Radha are worshiped during this festival. Worship of the lord is accompanied by the tying of Rakhi across the wrist of the brother wishing for a long and healthy life.
“Rakhi Utsava” is popular in a place found by Rabindranath Tagore named Shanti Niketan.
How is Raksha Bandhan celebrated in the South?
Many a time due to the most diversified culture, a question arises is Raksha Bandhan celebrated in the south?
Raksha Bandhan is not followed in many parts of southern India. The Southern states include Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and other southern states.
In Maharashtra, this festival starts from the Narali Purnima. This festival is celebrated with joy and cheerfulness in this state. The celebration starts with tying a Rakhi to a brother with love.
People residing in some parts of the southern states follow the occasion called ‘Avani Avattam’ according to their cultural beliefs. This festival is generally for male members of the Brahmin class; In which, they change a holy thread namely ‘janeu’ tied across their bodies along with taking a dip in the water to wash off their sins.
So in this way, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in India.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated for the happiness and well-being of brothers by their sisters. As a festival of love among siblings, Raksha Bandhan has its own significance. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in a cheerful mood all around the country in unique ways. Raksha Bandhan. It is not necessary to be a blood relation to tie Rakhi in this modern era, Rakhi can even be tied to non-blood relations. Rakhi can even be tied to people who have a closer relationship.