Why Celebrate Raksha Bandhan: A Festival of Love and Protection

Raksha Bandhan is a festival of love and protection for siblings. Sisters tie a thread (rakhi) on their brothers’ wrists, wishing them well. Sisters receive gifts from their brothers, who promise to guard them. The festival removes fear and insecurity from their bond. This article explores the origin, meaning, and relationship of Raksha Bandhan with other Hindu festivals.

The History of Raksha Bandhan

Early Hindu mythology and history reveal the origins of Raksha Bandhan. Many stories explain the origin of this festival. Here are some of them:

According to one legend, when Lord Krishna accidentally cut his finger on his Sudarshan chakra, Draupadi ripped a piece of her saree and fastened it around his finger to stop the bleeding. Her gesture touched Krishna, who promised to always look out for her. Later, in the Mahabharata, he prevented the Kauravas from dishonoring her.
According to another legend, Queen Karnavati of Chittor sent Emperor Humayun a rakhi to ask for his assistance when Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, threatened her. Her request moved Humayun, who jumped to her aid. He reached Chittor too late, but he honored her rakhi by making her son the king of Chittor.
According to another legend, when Yama, the God of death, visited his sister Yamuna after a long time, she was overjoyed and welcomed him with aarti and sweets. She also tied a rakhi on his wrist and asked him for a boon. Yama granted her immortality and declared that whoever receives a rakhi from his sister on this day will be blessed with a long life.

These stories show how Raksha Bandhan has been a symbol of love, protection, and gratitude between siblings since ancient times.

The Significance of Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a festival of love and protection for siblings. It celebrates the sacred bond that goes beyond blood and distance. It honors siblings’ trust, loyalty, respect, and care for each other.
Raksha Bandhan is also a spiritual festival. It is a day to ask for God’s and the elders’ blessings for one’s family. It is a day to pray for peace, harmony, and prosperity. It is a day to recognize the divine in one’s life.
Raksha Bandhan is also a social festival. It is a day to promote brotherhood, friendship, and goodwill. It is a day to foster unity, diversity, and tolerance. It is a day to share joy, happiness, and kindness.

The Relationship between Raksha Bandhan and Other Hindu Festivals

Raksha Bandhan, the rakhi festival, is on the full moon day of Shravana, usually in August. This month has many Hindu festivals, like Guru Purnima and Guru Purnima is in July and honors one’s guru or spiritual teacher.
Amavasya is every month’s new moon day and is essential for spiritual seekers and ancestors’ rituals.
Raksha Bandhan, Guru Purnima, and Amavasya celebrate different human relationships: siblings, teacher-student, and ancestors-descendants.

How to Celebrate Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a festival of love and protection for siblings. Sisters tie rakhis on their brother’s wrists, wishing them well, and brothers present gifts while making promises to guard them. Siblings also pray for each other and enjoy various activities. Some ways to celebrate Rakhi Festival are:

Send rakhis and greetings to your distant siblings
Cook or order tasty food and sweets for your siblings.
Play games, watch films, listen to music, and share memories with your siblings.
Exchange gifts or vouchers with your siblings or donate to a charity they support.
Visit a temple, a park, a museum, or any other place with your siblings, or go for a picnic, a hike, or a drive with them.
Write or make something creative for your siblings to express your feelings.

Conclusion

Raksha Bandhan, also known as the Rakhi festival, is a festival for siblings to express their love and protection. It is based on ancient Hindu stories and has spiritual, social, and emotional meanings. Other Hindu festivals, like Guru Purnima and Amavasya, are connected to it. Siblings celebrate it by tying rakhis, giving gifts, and doing fun activities. If you want to buy beautiful and unique rakhis for your siblings,

visit https://returngifting.com/product-category/rakhi-collection/. You can also find amazing gift ideas there. Happy Raksha Bandhan!

Why Celebrate Raksha Bandhan: A Festival of Love and Protection