All of us, specifically Indians, know very well about the festival ‘Rakshabandhan’. It is observed to pay homage to the consecrated and unconditional bond between brothers and sisters. Rakshabandhan in Sanskrit actually signifies ‘the tie or knot of protection’. This special festival of India is renowned around the world. It is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of July, Sravan month (the month of Monsoon), with great pageantry or grandeur.
On this festival, as a ritual, a sister ties a colourful band called ‘rakhi’, a holy string that symbolizes the love between siblings, around her brother’s wrist. The festival begins by performing traditional aarti and concludes with prayers for the prosperity for her brother. After the prayer, the sister applies a tilak, a red mark on the forehead of the brother. After that, the brother promises to guide and protect the sister throughout life under all circumstances. Moreover, as a part of the tradition, a brother presents his sister with varied exciting gifts. Gifts play a prominent role and symbolize tokens of love and affection. The brother may also feed his sister with his hands. Then they hug and the larger family ritually congratulate the festive celebration of brother-sister love and protection.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival not only celebrated for fun and enjoyment, but it is also a promise. A promise that brothers and sisters make to each other, to support and protect each other, come what may.
Now you must be wondering where does this tradition come from? Raksha Bandhan is an ancient festival and has numerous myths and historic legends linked to it. The popular practice of Raksha Bandhan has its historical associations also. The Rajput queens practised the custom of sending rakhi threads to neighbouring rulers as token of brotherhood.
But, if we go into our history and mythological legends, we will find that Rakhi doesn't not only mean a symbol of love and protection among brothers and sisters. In the legend of Indra and Indrani, Indra's partner Indrani ties a holy thread on his wrist to protect him from the evils. This story tells us that Rakhi was used to protect our close ones from demons. It was also used as a way to bring the Hindus and Muslims together during the Bengal partition that took place during the struggle of Independence in India. Rabindranath Tagore used rakhi to bring harmony and fraternity between the two religions to halt the decision of separating Bengal by the British.
There are numerous stories that carry forward the practice of rakhi time to time in a various distinctive manner. Thus, gradually Rakshabandhan comes in its modern form.
This year in quarantine, Rakshabandhan came at a time where you can truly show how much you care. This is a time for siblings to truly think about each other and in spite the fact that the tradition is for a sister to tie a rakhi on her brother's wrist, I believe that the sibling bond is same no matter if it came in quarantine.
Happy Raksha Bandhan!
By: Mahi
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