| On Raksha Bandhan, a sister ties a 'raksha' or 'rakhi' | | | | wherein brothers did all they could to please their |
| on her brother's right wrist, to protect him from | | | | sisters with the choicest of Rakhi gifts. Be it the |
| everything negative in life and to strengthen the | | | | instance of Raja Bali fulfilling Goddess Laxmi's wish of |
| bond of love. This is also the time for family reunions. | | | | returning home with Narayana as a Rakhi present. Or, |
| Sisters and brothers living away from families visit | | | | be it the very famous sacrifice of King Porus sparing |
| their home on this auspicious occasion. | | | | Alexander's life as a gift to Alexander's wife who had |
| Traditions of Raksha Bandhan | | | | tied a Rakhi on his wrist. And who can forget what |
| Sisters perform 'pujan', do 'arti', of their brothers and | | | | Emperor Humayun did to safeguard Rani Karnavati's |
| apply kumkum, rice grains on his forehead. After | | | | kingdom on receiving a Rakhi from her. |
| which, brothers give her a gift as a token of a | | | | Rakhi Return Gifts, The Evolution |
| promise to protect her. The Rakhi thread comes in | | | | Since times immemorial, it has been believed that |
| varied designs. It may range from a simple coloured | | | | sisters are to be pampered with loads of gifts when |
| cotton string, dhaga, to intricate patterns and | | | | she comes to visit her parents/brother (post |
| decorations of various sizes and materials as cotton, | | | | marriage) on Rakshabandhan. |
| zari, beads, pearl, silver etc.. | | | | One very prevalent custom has been giving cash as |
| Of the various traditions of Raksha Bandhan, the | | | | a return gift to sisters. The amount could be anything |
| most important one is the ceremony involving the | | | | from Rs11/- to Rs51/-, Rs101/- and so on. The one |
| exchange of Rakhi gifts and Rakhi return gifts. The | | | | rupee is considered to be auspicious when given with |
| present on Rakshabandhan may be in the form of | | | | a round figure of money. Though gifting cash is a |
| the fulfillment of a promise of protection and | | | | convenient way of letting your sister choose her |
| everlasting love or it may be something tangible, cash | | | | own gift (with the money she collects from all her |
| or gifts on Rakhi. | | | | brothers). But, on the other hand, it is still an |
| Historical Evidence of The Tradition of Gifting | | | | impersonal way of expressing your love and concern |
| Even our history and mythology is full of examples | | | | for her. |