Raksha Bandhan, also known as “Rakhi,” is an Indian festival that celebrates the love between siblings. It is dedicated to the unbreakable bond of siblings, with a sister tying an auspicious thread on her brother’s wrist in exchange for a promise of protection from her brother. This festival has saved thousands of lives if we consider the historical aspect.
First, let’s talk about the methodology behind this festival.
Indra Dev and Sachi: According to the Puranas and Vedas, Indra Dev: the God of Rain got into a fight with the demon Bali during the battle of gods and demons. Even after a long period of time, there was no end result to the war. At that time, Sachi, Indra’s wife, went to Lord Vishnu, who gave her a holy thread of cotton to tie around Indra’s wrist, which eventually led to Indra’s victory.
King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi: As per Vishnu Purana and Bhagavad Purana, when Lord Vishnu won all the three worlds from demon king Bali, King Bali asked him to stay beside him. However, Goddess Lakshmi wanted to have her husband return back to his native place. She tied a rakhi around Bali’s wrist considering him her brother. As a return gift, she asked him to free her husband from the vow. Bali agreed to the request.
Krishna and Draupadi: Lord Krishna got his finger hurt while killing Shishupal. Draupadi at that moment tore off a part of her sari and bandaged his finger considering him her brother. Hence Krishna Promised to save Draupadi and that was how Draupadi’s sari became endless and saved her embarrassment on the day of Cheerharan in Dhritarashtra’s court.
Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun: Rani Karnavati became a regent after the death of her husband Rana Sanga. When Bahadur Shah attacked Mewar, she wrote a letter to Emperor Humayun along with a Rakhi seeking his protection. While the emperor didn’t manage to reach on time, he eventually restored the kingdom to Karnavati’s son Vikramjit.
Raksha Bandhan is one such festival where the siblings forget their fights for once and show their love. Though it’s the siblings so the fights for the gifts after the rakhi is a must. On Raksha Bandhan, the family wakes up early and goes to the temple to seek the blessings of God. After seeking the blessings the sister ties a rakhi on the wrist of a brother. Today, Rakhi is no longer limited to a cotton thread but rather it is decorated with pearls, stones, and many colorful threads. After the Rakhi is tied, the brother gives a gift to his sister. Though this part always includes a light playful fight on the part of siblings.
So, this is how in India Raksha Bandha (Rakhi) is celebrated. Before the actual festival, there is a great hustle-bustle in the markets for buying Rakhi, sweets, and gifts. Sisters sent Rakhis to their brothers who have been abroad. Some sisters travel hundreds of miles just to tie a rakhi on their brother’s wrist. The bond of love is what ties these siblings, these brothers and sisters, these sisters and sisters in the love of rakhi.