Rakhi Celebration in India |
Posted: June 15, 2017 |
Raksha bandhan also known as Rakhi, is a Hindu festival celebrated in almost all the states of India. It is celebrated in the month of Shravan and is observed on a full moon day. It usually falls in the month of August and this year it will be celebrated on 7th of August. This festival epitomizes the bond between brothers and sisters be it biological or not. The sacred thread i.e. Rakhi means ‘the knot of protection’. Let the celebrations begin Days before, shops have on display different kinds of rakhis ranging from the simplest to the most extravagant. It is a colourful and happy sight indeed in the market. You can see girls and women bustling around trying to get their hands on the perfect choice. Some sisters even make their own rakhis; which could be a simple one of colored thread woven together or it could bejeweled. Some even tie jewellery like bracelets as rakhis for their brothers. However, be it simple or fancy, it is the love that the brother and sister share that touches the heart. On the day, in the morning, the sister ties a rakhi which is a sacred thread, on her brother’s wrist in front of a lighted lamp called “diya”, both facing each other. Sometimes this is followed by an aarti. The sister prays for his happiness, wellbeing and prosperity. The prayer could be self-composed or taken from one of the many published rakhi poems or proses. It is a display of her love and affection towards him.
The brother on the other hand ritually pledges to protect his sister always in any situation come what may. The whole family of all generations are present during this ritual. The sister then applies a tilak on her brother’s forehead and feeds him sweets, chocolates or dry fruits, while the whole family present congratulates them ritually. The brother then gives his sister a gift in cash or kind to show his affection. He wears the rakhi the entire day to appreciate the love of his sister. The brother-sister bond Siblings or rakhi brothers and sisters who are miles and oceans apart make it a point to courier or post their brother a rakhi along with a greeting card expressing their love and best wishes for him. The brother also sends his sister a token of his love and affection. This is a festival where bonds are strengthened and families got together. It is not restricted to only biological bonds. It goes beyond that. Brother - sister bonds are formed between cousins, distant relatives as well as between those who are unrelated but share a special sibling type of bond. It is not restricted to certain sections of society and is celebrated by one and all; rich or poor, caste no bar. Besides strengthening family ties it also brings together people belonging to different ethnic groups and religious. It is a festival of love and compassion. The festival of all religions Rakhi is not only a Hindu festival. It is celebrated by the Jains as a religious festival, where the Priest gives thread to the devotees. It has also been a part in the history of Sikhism as well. Amid all siblingery squabbles and quarrels, deep down the love shared, whether blood related or not, which can never be taken away is admirable. You can send rakhis online to your brother who is residing in a foreign country in just a matter of a few days. The delivery takes usually 5-7 working days. So, choose the best rakhi for your brother and get it delivered at his doorstep.
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