Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu custom marking the love and affection between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on “Shravan Sud Poornima” every year according to the Hindu Calender. Raksha means Protection , Bandhan means Bond. On this day, sisters tie a colourful ‘Rakhi’ on the wrists of their brothers. Sisters believe that this will bring success, peace, and good health to their brothers throughout the year.
At this particular time Lord Indra called his Guru Brihaspati in his court for help and advice. At the same time Indra’s wife Indrani was also present in the court. Before Brihaspati could say anything Indrani rose and said that she knew that how to assure God’s win in the battle. The next day was Shravani Purnima. When Indra was off to the battlefield, Indrani tied a “Madadiyu” a sacred thread on wrist on Indra. When Indra entered the battlefield with the “Madadiyu” tied on his wrist, the devil begin to lose and lost the battle.
This practice was prevalent among the Rajputs and our history is full of instances related to the significance of this tradition. At the time of war when the brave Rajput soldiers prepared to go to the battle field, the women folk followed the ritual of tying a thread around their wrist after applying a dash of vermilion powder on their forehead. This was considered a sign of good omen and the ladies believed that it would protect their men from the enemy’s blow and bring them victory.
The queen of Mewar, Maharani Karmavati, had to face the threat of Governor Bahadur Shah who laid seige on her kingdom. Helpless she sent a rakhi to the Mughal King, Humayun. The emperor who under normal circumstances would not have preferred to help a Rajput ruler, decided to protect her from the threat. Humayun reached Mewar chased Bahadur Shah and his men and restored the kingdom to the queen of Mewar.
The sister visits the brother with rakhi in a nicely decorated plate containing sweets, a lamp, kumkum, rice and a dry coconut. After doing arthi and applying tilak on the brother’s forehead offering him sweets, ties the rakhi on the wrist, thereafter handing over the coconut. The brother in return ushers gifts either in cash or kind. This is the tradition followed in the Rajasthani community.
If the sister is staying away from the brothers she sends rakhi by post. The little ones are also excited and love to flaunt their rakhis to school. Keeping the tastes of present day rakhis have started coming in all kinds of sizes and patterns. Rakhis of pure gold and pure silver are also available.
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