What is Raksha Bandhan, and why do we celebrate it?

About Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi): What it is

The bond between a brother and a sister can’t be captured in words, and it’s simply unique. Throughout the world, sibling relationships are regarded as extraordinary and of great value. When it comes to India, however, it becomes even more important because of a festival called “Raksha Bandhan” that celebrates the love between siblings.

The festival of Vasant Panchami represents the bond of sisterhood between a brother and sister, and is celebrated in countries like India and Nepal as a symbol of love between them both. Raksha Bandhan is an occasion which is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar during the month of Shravan, which is usually in August when it falls on the Gregorian calendar.

The meaning of Raksha Bandhan

As per Sanskrit terminology, the occasion is known by its two words, the word ‘Raksha’ and the word ‘Bandhan’. According to Sanskrit terminology, “Raksha” stands for the protection and the word ‘Bandhan’ stands for the verb ‘to tie.” So, if you were to ask what this festival is all about, it is about the tie or knot of protection. In addition to its symbolic significance, this festival also symbolizes the eternal love of brother and sister relationships, which is not limited to just the relationship between two blood siblings. It is also celebrated by cousins, sisters and sisters-in-law (Bhabhi), fraternal aunts (Bua) and nephews (Bhatija), and other relatives of such a nature as well.

Also Read: When is Raksha Bandhan 2022 Date and Time for Rakhi in India

The importance of Raksha Bandhan among Indian religions

There are many different religions that celebrate this festival, but it is generally observed by Hindus in northern and western parts of India, as well as Nepal, Pakistan, and Mauritius.

This festival is also revered by the Jain community, which is represented by the distribution of ceremonial threads by the Jain priests to the devotees.

In Sikhism, this day is celebrated by the Sikhs as “Rakhardi” or Rakhari, which is a festival that celebrates the brother-sister bond.

The origins of Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is believed to have originated centuries before and there are many stories in the Raksha Bandhan History that have been related to the celebration of this special festival over the years. According to Hindu mythology, there are various accounts that include:

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Indra Dev and Sachi – According to the ancient legend of Bhavishya Purana, there was once a fierce battle between Gods and demons which resulted in the death of Indra Dev and Sachi. The powerful demon king Bali, who was fighting on the side of the gods was having a tough opposition from the deity of the sky, rain, and thunderbolts, Lord Indra, the principle deity of the sky, rain and thunderbolts. It was a long war that did not come to a decisive conclusion.

When Indra’s wife Sachi saw that this had happened, she went to the Lord Vishnu, who presented her with a holy bracelet made of cotton thread in thanksgiving. As Sachi tied the holy thread around her husband Indra’s wrist, he was able to defeat the demons and regain the Amaravati which he had lost to them for a very long time.

It had been described in earlier accounts of the festival that these holy threads were amulets that were used by women as amulets for prayer and were tied to their husbands when they were leaving for war. Unlike today, those holy threads were not limited to relationships between brothers and sisters as they are in the present day.

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The demon king Bali and Goddess Lakshmi- As per the Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana, when Lord Vishnu won the three worlds from the demon king Bali, he was asked by the demon king to stay beside him in the palace when he won the three worlds from him.

This request was accepted by the Lord, and he began to live with the demon king. There was, however, a strong desire to return to Vishnu’s native place, Vaikuntha, by Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu. Hence, she tied a rakhi around the wrist of the demon king, Bali, and made him a brother by doing so.

After asking about the return gift, Goddess Lakshmi asked Bali to free her husband from the vow and allow him to return to Vaikuntha as soon as possible. As a result, Bali agreed to the request and Lord Vishnu had returned to his place with his wife, Goddess Lakshmi, to live there.

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Santoshi Maa- According to mythology, Shubh and Labh, the two sons of Lord Ganesha, were frustrated because they did not have sisters. After saint Narada intervened, their father granted their request for a sister to their sister. Through the divine flames of Lord Ganesha, Santoshi Maa was created, and the two sons of Lord Ganesha were given their sister on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan as gifts.

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According to the Mahabharat, Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas, tied a rakhi to Lord Krishna before the epic war, while Kunti tied a rakhi to her grandson Abhimanyu at the beginning of the war.

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Yama and the Yamuna- There is also another legend that says that the death god Yama did not visit his sister Yamuna for 12 years, leaving her in a very sad state as a result. In response to Ganga’s advice, Yama went to meet his sister Yamuna, who was very happy and performed hospitality for her brother, Yama because she was pleased to see him.

As a result, Yama was delighted and he asked Yamuna to give him a gift as a reward. It was her desire to see her brother again and again. The moment he heard this, Yama made his sister, Yamuna, immortal so that he would be able to see her time and time again. There is also a festival called Bhai Dooj that is based on the brother-sister relationship, and which forms the basis for the mythological event called “Bhai Dooj”.

Reason For the celebration of this Festival

During Raksha Bandhan, brothers and sisters are reminded of their responsibilities towards one another. This occasion celebrates any type of brother-sister relationship between men and women, regardless of whether they are biologically related.

As part of the celebration of this day, sisters tie rakhi around their brother’s wrists in order to pray for his well-being, prosperity and health on this special day. The brother in return offers a gift as well as a promise that he will protect his sister from harm at all times and under any circumstance. Also, the festival is celebrated between distant relatives, cousins and family members who are family members of a brother and sister.

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