Rakshabandhan is a Hindu festival which is celebrated by brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a Rakhi on the wrists of their brothers on this day. ‘Raksha’ means protection and ‘Bandhan’ means a tie. Brothers and sisters promise to protect each other on this day.
On this day people get up early and wear new clothes. Sisters put rakhi, sweet, Diya and Haldi on a thali. Brothers bring their sister’s favourite things as gifts to give them in return. They both sit at one place and perform the ritual. Sisters tie the colourful sacred thread and make their brothers eat sweet with their own hands out of love. Brothers touch the feet of their sisters and ask for their blessings and also offer the gifts.
This festival is a traditional festival. It is mentioned in Ramayana and Mahabharata also. Earlier sister used to tie a thread and pray for their brother’s protection in wars.
Girls who call anyone their brother can tie a rakhi to him. This festival stands for love and care which is greater than blood relation. Some people even tie rakhi to deities. Married women come back to their parents’ home to meet their brother. It is also celebrated between sisters-in-law.
Rakshabandhan celebrates the relationship of brother and sister and their bond. The rakhi is a symbol of a sister’s love that stays with a brother forever. It is a festival to celebrate love and duty.
