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| CelebrationsinWorld » Festivals of India » Rakhi |
Rakhi |
The celebrations of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan witnesses great festivities in every Hindu household. The festival of Rakhi epitomizes the sacred relation between a brother and his sister and every year on this day, sisters pray for the well being of her brother/ brothers and in return seek protection and care for themselves. The brothers too promise to remain by their sisters at all times, good or bad.
Tying of the Rakhi, a sacred thread, on the wrist of the brother by the sister is the highlight of the festival. On the day of Raksha Bandhan sisters generally fast and worship the lord for the well being of their brothers, and break the fast only after the Rakhi ceremony is over. Even married sisters come to their natal homes on the occasion of Rakhi and it is a great day for both the brother as well as the sister. While the sisters tie Rakhi and gift him sweets, the brothers gift them a variety of gifts from Rakhi cards to sweets and from apparel to accessories. A grand feast is held after the ceremony is over that comprises of a lavish spread of traditional Indian delicacies among others.
The concept of the celebration of Rakhi dates back to antiquity and there are several instances that can be found that mentions of the magical power and strength of the Rakhi. |
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According to one myth the lord of the gods, Indra, was once at war with the demons. To ensure protection, his wife Sachi tied a holy thread on his wrist before he left for the battle field. And by the magical power of the thread he returned victorious and unharmed.
According to another myth Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas had once tied a piece of cloth on the wrist of lord Krishna to prevent blood from oozing out from there, as he was hurt. Touched by this act, lord Krishna vowed to protect her and return this noble deed. He kept his promise at the time when Draupadi was being disrobed in the courts of the evil Duryodhona. He protected her then and since then it became a tradition for the sisters to tie Rakhi on her brothers’ wrist and for the brother to protect his sister.
Thus the significance of the festival of Rakhi is immense and celebrated in every Hindu home with great reverence. Sisters eagerly wait for the occasion throughout the year as much as the brothers do. |
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