Raksha Bandhan Festival

The festival falls on the full-moon day in the month of Shrawan by Hindu calender and in the month of August according to English calender. Rains cool the atmosphere. Moon light provides a pleasant and peaceful environment. This is a festival of importance for Hindus.

The household woman tied the holy thread called Rakhi—the one who protects, on the wrists of their brothers.

Now, this thread is mainly as symbol of brother-sister relation- ship. It is tied to the wrist of brother by sister. The brother takes is the vow to protect her modesty, chastity and life.

History tells that Humayun protected Rani  Karnavati of Mewar from the invasion of Shersha Suri when he received Rakhi thread from Karnavati.

Every year this festival reminds us of pure and pious relation between brother and sister. Blessings from the heart of sister to the safety and well being of her brother are put in this thread. That is why this "Raksha Bandhan" possesses importance and purity.

One day prior to festival, something in yellow or red is drawn in the house which is called `sona'. For this occasion Milk pudding with rice (Khir) and vermicelli (Semai) are cooked. These items are offered to sona and Rakhi.

After the worship, the sisters in the house tie Rakhi thread to wrists of brothers and apply tilak to their forehead. Brothers provided to the sisters money or clothes or both according to the capacity and desire.

Raksha Bandhan is a festival of strong protecting the weak. It is the most important festival to remind the brother-sister relationship to the whole world. Every brother should feel proud and take vow to protect his sisters.