| Raksha Bandhan is the celebration of the unblemished | | | | symbolize the sugary moments between the |
| bond of care between a brother and a sister. On this | | | | brothers and sisters and on this day all kinds of |
| day, the sister ties a holy thread around the wrist of | | | | sweets are prepared. On this day, priests also fasten |
| her brother, reaffirming the love and affection | | | | the rakhis on their clients and in return accept |
| between them. This strand, which pulsates with idyllic | | | | contributions from them. In several parts of the |
| adoration and transcendent sentiments, is | | | | country it is usual to sketch figures on the walls of |
| appropriately called the 'Rakhi'. It means 'a bond of | | | | their abode and worship them with offerings of |
| protection'. This is one of the most cordial and | | | | vermilion and kheer. A few parts of India also keep |
| dignified of all human emotions. No matter which part | | | | this day for the blessed thread changing service, |
| of the globe you reside in, come celebrate unbroken | | | | when the boys abandon the previous one and slip on |
| promise with us… When is Rakhi? Rakhi is an | | | | a new one ritualistically. However it is the emblematic |
| exceptional occasion that is celebrated every year, in | | | | never-ending union between brothers and sisters that |
| August, on Shravan Purnima day. This year Raksha | | | | cements ties between them even across continents, |
| Bandhan falls on August 28, 2007. Rakhi is one of the | | | | which has the most importance on this propitious day. |
| very significant festivals of India. It is celebrated all | | | | Importance of Rakhi Rakhi is an implicit assurance |
| over the country but the ways of celebrations differ | | | | exchanged between a brother and sister |
| region to region. The name of this festival also | | | | strengthening their persistent relationship. This also |
| transforms as soon as one enters into a new area. | | | | supports their protective attachment against all evils |
| For example few of the names are the 'Vish Taadak' | | | | and chances. Rituals like these, undoubtedly, ease out |
| (destroyer of poison), the 'Punya Pradaayak' | | | | various communal strains, stimulate empathy, |
| (bestower of boons), and the 'Paap Naashak' | | | | unfasten outlets of expression, and present an |
| (destroyer of sins). How to celebrate rakhi? A | | | | occasion to revise our responsibility as individual, most |
| woman ties a "rakhi" on her brother's right wrist, to | | | | notably, fetch happiness in our humdrum lives. This |
| look after him from evil manipulation and those | | | | protective bond symbolized by Rakhi has resulted in |
| aspects which may foul his spirit, and to fortify the | | | | immeasurable opinionated ties among monarchies and |
| bond of eternal love between them. She goes to her | | | | states. The leaves of Indian history give evidence |
| brother and performs the rituals by smearing on | | | | that the Maratha and the Rajput queens have sent |
| kumkum and rice particles on his forehead. In return | | | | Rakhis even to Mughal kings who, despite their |
| the brother gives her an endowment and pledges to | | | | differences, have assuaged their Rakhi-sisters by |
| shield her too. The 'rakhi' itself arrays from a | | | | rendering aid and fortification at vital instants and |
| decorated strand to elegantly ornamented balls of | | | | respected the everlasting bond. Even nuptial alliances |
| assorted sizes and materials such as feathery fiber, | | | | have been established between kingdoms through |
| glitters, gold, silver beads and so on. Sweets | | | | the exchange of Rakhis. |