Rakhi 2016, Raksha Bandhan 2016, Upcoming Hindu Festival

Raksha Bandhan 2016 = 18th August (Thursday)

Our country, India is popularly known by the name of the Hindu religion nation. Here various Hindu festivals are celebrated and Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is one of them. This festival is celebrated on the Purnima (Full Moon day) in Shravan month. The Raksha Bandhan festival is dedicated to the love between brothers and sisters.  This is the special day when brothers and sisters reaffirm their pious bonds of affection. Mainly, It is a Hindu festival, but people from other religions participate as well.

 The Hindus from across the country celebrate Raksha Bandhan around mid-August, on Purnima. The word ‘Raksha’ means protection and ‘Bandhan’ means bond making the Rakhi, and combining forms the “Bond of Protection”. The festival Raksha Bandhan has its own different names regionally such as Rakhi, Rakhri, Saluna and Baleva.

Rakhi Rituals and Traditions

On this occasion, sisters tie a special band on their brother’s wrist on the day of Rakhi. This thread, which shows the love of sisters and sublime sentiments, is rightly known the 'Rakhi'. This is the way to telling your brothers that you will never forget how he teased you about everything, yet fought with those who spoke a single word against you and how you command him for farewell with a smile, and only he saw those tear drops in your eyes. In return, The brother takes a lifelong oath to protect her sister under all circumstances and to always stand by her side.

As per Hindu traditions, the sister prepares the Puja Thali with Diya, Roli, Chawal and Rakhi on this day. She worships the deities, ties Rakhis on brother’s wrist and wishes for their well being. The brother in turn acknowledges the love with a promise to be by the sisters' side and gives her a gift. Thus, Raksha Bandhan tightens the bond of love between the sister and brother.

Legends of Rakhi

The thread tying practice was prevalent among the Rajputs and our history is full of instances related to the significance of this tradition. When the brave Rajput soldiers prepared to go to the battlefield at the time of war, the women folk followed the ritual of tying a thread on their wrist after applying a dash of vermilion powder on their foreheads. This is a sign of good omen and the ladies believed that it would protect their men from the enemy's blow and bring them victory.

 

As a festival, Raksha Bandhan if taken in true sense has a much broader perspective; the festival encompasses true sense of peace and brotherhood. If we see the values propagated by the occasion by all human beings can bring much relief from the ongoing violence and mistrust.

The rich Indian mythology provides a religious reason to celebrate this auspicious day in a specific manner. Various epics are related to the day and the origin of Rakhi festival. The festival finds records in most of the epics and its origin can be traced back to the mythological Pouranik times.

 

The Indian festival Rakhi Bandhan shows the message of “VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBKAM” – The Whole world is one Family.

Raksha Bandhan Stories

Lord Krishna & Draupathi

The story of Lord Krishna & Draupathi is most popular behind Raksha Bandhan. King Shishupal was killed by Lord Krishna in order to protect people against all evils. Shishupal was hurt during the fight and had been noticed by Draupadi and she rips up a piece from her saree and tied it round his wrist which would stop bleeding. By seeing the affection, Lord Krishna was overwhelmed and declared his sisterly affection towards Draupadi. In return, Krishna promised to help Draupadi whenever she needed in the future. Then some years later, when the Pandvas lost Draupadi at chess, the Kaurvas were removing her saree. But it was Krishna who kept her saree elongated so that they could not remove it.

The Great Alexander & King Puru

This is the oldest story behind Rakhi around 300 BC back. During his first attempt to conquer India, King Alexander was shaken by the mighty King Puru. Seeing this, the wife of Alexander was disturbed and she approached King Puru during Rakhi. King Puru accepted her as his sister and stop from attacking Alexander when he got the opportunity.

Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun

Another old story of Rakhi goes back to the outdated times when Rajputs were fighting with the Muslims. Rakhi was a very important festival then and it shows the bonding relation of protecting sisters. When Rani Karnavati realised that in way could she defend herself from the invasion of Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi to Humayun. The Emperor was so happy with the signal that he taking his battalion away from her kingdom.

King Bali & Goddess Lakshmi

King Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and therefore, later he took responsibility of protecting his kingdom. So, He left his own place, Vaikuntam to protect Mahabali’s kingdom. However, Vishnu’s wife Goddess Lakshmi felt very lonely and sad. she did not have the company of her Lord. Being as a Brahmin woman, she went to Bali and tied rakhi on his wrist on Shravan Purnima. Goddess Lakshmi revealed her true identity and purpose of her visit. He was touched by this and requested Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi to visit Vaikuntam. Since this day it becomes tradition, all brothers invite their sisters over to tie rakhi.

Gifts on Rakhi

According to modern time, it is increasingly difficult to make the right gifting choice. Whether it is for parents, siblings, friends, children or spouse, you just want to get it. And when it becomes an occasion like Rakhi, making the right choice becomes more difficult.

In order to make the right choice for your brother or sister, you should be well perfect with their likes and dislikes.

Raksha Bandhan Videos

Raksha Bandhan Subh Muhurat