Rakhi 2012

Rakhi 2012 - The festivals of India portray celebrations.

Rakhi 2012 - The festivals of India portray celebration of relationships, their belongingness and oneness. A very special festival Raksha Bandhan is the celebration of a special bond between a sister and a brother. This festival, therefore, epitomizes love, affection and feeling of brotherhood. This Year Rakhi / Raksha Bandhan celebrates on 2nd August 2012.

Raksha Bandhan as the name suggests, signifies a bond of protection that is derived from raksha meaning protection and bandhan meaning bound. On this day of Shravan Purnima (full moon day of shravan month), sisters tie Rakhi, a sacred amulet made up of silky threads matted together in an appealing style and festooned with beads on their brothers' wrist. It is a way of praying for their brothers' good health, wealth, happiness and success. The brothers, likewise, promise to protect their sisters from danger or evil and also give them a token gift. This practice fortifies their protective bond against all ills and odds.

Send Raksha Bandhan Cards

Traditional celebration of the festival starts at the daybreak. The rakhis and the sweets are bought and prepared generally before the Purnima. As per the tradition the family members get ready for the rituals early. They take a bath to purify mind and body before starting any preparations. The sisters prepare the thali for the pooja. It contains the rakhis, kumkum powder, rice grains, diya (an earthern or a metal lamp used for worshiping), incense sticks and sweets.

First of all deities of the family are worshipped in order to invoke their blessings. The sister performs aarti of her brother, applies tilak on his forehead and ties Rakhi, the sacred thread to his wrist while chanting holy verses- "Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala". This mantra means, "Similar to the rakhi tied to the mighty demon king, Bali, I am tying one on your wrist. Rakhi please do not abate but stay firm and determined".

Send Raksha Bandhan Cards

Another verse that finds its place during the ritual is the one in Punjabi- "Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee". This one means, "The sun spreads out its sunlight, the radish spreads its seeds, your sister is tying the rakhi to you, dear brother may you live long."

Rakhi Image

The sister then offers sweets to his brother and the brother in turn blesses the sister and vows to take care of her and stand by her through thick and thin. The brother also gives a gift to her as a token of his acknowledgement, love and affection.

Nowhere other than India such extraordinary festival marking celebration of brother- sister relationship is celebrated with fervor, devotion and zeal. This practice followed by almost every Indian has been into the existence from past so many centuries. The rich Indian Mythology provides different religious reasons to celebrate the day. This festival finds a mention in most of the epics and its origin can be traced back to Hindu folklore.

It is said that Yamuna, the sister of Yama, the lord of death used to tie rakhi to his brother's wrist on every Shravan Purnima.

Send Raksha Bandhan Cards

The legend says that once Indra, the Pauranic King of the Heavens, while warring with the Demon King Bali was confronted with reverses. Humbled, he sought after the advice of Brihaspati, the Guru of the Gods. On the auspicious occasion of Shravan Poornima, Indrani, the wife of Indra, tied talisman popularly known as Raksha on Indra's wrist. Consequently, Indra bested King Bali and re-established sovereignty over his celestial abode.

Related Articles

	A Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse on 25 April 2013
	Baglamukhi Jayanti
	Akshaya Tritiya (13th May, 2013)
	A Full Moon And Lunar Eclipse On 10 May 2013
	Hanuman Jayanti 2013

Latest Articles

	A Full Moon And Lunar Eclipse On 25 May 2013
	Wearing Gemstones
	Tips for Increasing Devotion to God
	Free Lal Kitab Horoscope (Varshphal)
	A Yoga Posture for Strengthening the Knees