Raksha bandhan, Rakhi day ,rituals, blessings

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a festival that commemorates the relationship of brother and sister. This festival is celebrated usually in the month of August on the Shravana Purnima.
'Raksha' is a Hindi word that means protection and 'Bandhan” means the bond. Thus, Raksha Bandhan stands for the bond of protection between brother and sister. On the auspicious eve of Shravana Purnima, the girls tie Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers. In turn, the brother takes the vow of protecting his sister from all the dangers that come her way. Many women observe fast till the completion of the rituals. After the thread tying ceremony, the girls perform Arti of their brothers so as to invoke divine blessings to bestow on their brothers. Traditionally, the following mantra is chanted while performing Arti :
“Yena baddho Bali Raja

Daanavendro mahabalah

Tena twam anubadhanaami

Rakshe maa chala maa chala”

The literal meaning of these words is, “O Rakhi, just as Goddess Laxmi tied Rakhi to King Bali, I am you on my brother's wrist. Aye Rakhi, I pray thee that you protect my brother from all evils”. In Punjabi the prayer goes like,
“Suraj shakhan chhodian

Mooli chhodia beej

Behen ne rakhi bandhi

Bhai tu chir jug jee"

With these holy words, the girl prays for her brother's long life and sound health. The whole ceremony is observed within a set Muhurat.
Raksha Bandhan is a day when the whole clan gathers and either spend time in cherishing some fond moments or creating them. Family feast is organized, which gives a nice opportunity to the family members to strengthen the bond of love between them. Therein lies the beauty of not only the festival of Raksha Bandhan but all Indian Festivals.

Rituals of Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is basically a North Indian festival. But the element of enthusiasm and happiness can be seen all across the country. It falls on the Shravana Purnima, that is, a full moon day in the month of August.
Raksha Bandhan held great importance in the lives of our ancestors. It was not merely a ritual, but they used to stand by the oath they had taken to protect their sisters. For instance, Porus spared the life of Alexander as he promised his sister, Alexander's wife, to guard her husband on the battlefield. On this day, the family members wake up early in the morning. After cleansing their mind, body and soul they perform Puja. The women in the household fast till the completion of the rituals. They prepare delicious recipes for the family and also assemble holy items for Arti in a Thali. On the set Muhurat, they tie Rakhi on the wrist of their brother and perform their Arti. She then makes her brother eat a piece of mithai (sweet). This sweet refers to the sweetness their relationship engrosses and has kept since the childhood days. Gifts are exchanged between brothers and sisters and this is the way they show their love for each other. The rituals are followed by feast. As all the family members gather under one roof, there is joy everywhere. Delicious recipes are prepared. If the woman is married the brother comes to her house and performs the rituals.