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RAKSHA BANDHAN: AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE TOWARDS SIBLINGS
Date of Raksha Bandhan celebration: August 28, 2007
places of merriment: All India
In India, relationships transform into celebrations. To celebrate this bonding and togetherness, Indians enjoy it with pomp and enthusiasm. Well, one such festival of love and attachment is Raksha Bandhan. It normally falls during the holy month of Shravan on a full moon night, which falls in August.
Meaning Of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is known by different religious names. In the north, they call Rakhi Purnima or Kajri Purnima. In the south, it is known as 'Avani Avittam'. In the west, it is known as Nariel(Coconut) Purnima. The words 'Raksha Bandhan' mean 'A bond of protection'. It is a festival to celebrate the bond of love and affection between brothers and sisters. On this day, brothers pledge to protect the sisters from all troubles. In return, the sisters pray to protect the brothers from all evils.
Raksha Bandhan —Tying The Thread Of Love
Raksha Bandhan kindles the deepest of emotions between brothers and sisters, especially when they are happily married. On this day, both brothers and sisters look forward to celebrate this bond of love. Raksha Bandhan is not a festival of rituals and customs. It just tying the beautiful and elegant thread of love called 'Rakhi'. A week in advance, rakhis are embellished and twined by the sisters themselves with gold and copper strings and motifs.
In some cases, they purchase and select the most exquisite range of rakhis. They decorate the Puja thali with tilak, rice grains, metal lamps, agarbhattis and of course, the brother's favorite sweets (mithais). On the main day, sisters are dressed up in the best of ghagras and lehengas outfits, while the brothers are clad in the best of sherwanis and crush duppattas.
They generally fast till they tie the rakhis. To add a lot of fun and merry making, the brothers deliberately keeps their sisters hunger pranks for a long time. They purposely bathe late and then join in for the Raksha Bandhan ceremony. The sister, royally performs the aarti of the brother. She ties the rakhi, puts tilak on his forehead and offers him sweets. She then recites special prayers of protection and love. The brother in turn blesses the sister. He promises to protect her from the evils of the world. He gifts something to her as a token of his love and affection. They gift them expensive gadgets and sponsors holiday tickets.
For those siblings who for distances are not able to meet, it is a day for remembering the bygone time when the day was celebrated together. Emotions are expressed through e-mails, e cards, rakhi greeting cards, and rakhis through Internet or mail.
Raksha Bandhan: An Alternative Style
On this day, priests tie rakhis on their patrons and in return receive offerings from them. Likewise, in some places, it is customary to draw figures on the walls of their home and worship them with offerings of vermilion and kheer. The imprints of palms are also put on either side of the entrance and rakhis are stuck on them.
In West Bengal, Rakhi Mohotsavas are organized at Shanti-niketan, the home of Rabindranath Tagore. For the people, the festival of 'Raksha Bandhan' is a symbol of harmony. Here, people tie rakhis to their neighbors and friends.