celebration of rakshabandhan

Celebration of Rakshabandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters.
11. Things to Know about Rakshabandhan
Shravan (pronounced shraavan) is the most holy month in the Hindu year. The full moon of Shravan or Shravan Purnima is the day of Raksha Bandhan, also known as Balev. Hindus all over the world celebrate this festival with great joy. We shall discuss the reason for this later. Raksha means protection. Bandhan means to be tied, to be bound. To understand the true significance of Raksha Bandhan, we must first know how it came about. Bali Raja, the demon king, greatly pleased Vaman Bhagwan by offering his head to step on.
Vaman Bhagwan then gave him a boon that Bhagwan Narayan will stay at his doorstep all through the year. However, when Shri Narayan failed to return to Vaikunth, Lakshmiji arrived at Bali doorstep. She then adopted Bali as her brother, by tying a raksha on his wrist. This pleased Bali, who allowed her to ask for a boon. She requested that he allow Shri Narayan to return to Vaikunth. Bali agreed. It was then decided that after Narayan stay of four months during Chaturmas, Shivji and Brahmaji would stay at Bali doorstep, each for four months. From this episode about Bali Raja, this day is also known as Baleva. Thus, Bali Raja great gift to Bhagwan is glorified in the shastras. So, in all puja rituals, pandits chant a shlok which praises Bali Raja while tying a nada chhadi (sacred thread) Yena baddho Baliraja, danavendro mahabala, Tena tvamabhi badhnami rakshe ma chala ma chala. I tie on you (the devotee) the raksha which was tied on Bali. Therefore O Raksha! Do not ever fail to protect this bhakta. Do not ever fail. The most important principle to understand and put in our life isjust as Bali Raja offered supreme bhakti by surrendering his own self and his kingdom to Bhagwan, we should mentally surrender our life to Bhagwan. This means to believe that whatever we do in life, it is to please Bhagwan and our Guru.We should not do anything which does not please them. Only then will they guard us and protect us from maya.Practical Rituals of Raksha Bandhan.On this day a sister will tie a raksha (rakhi in Hindi) on the right wrist of her brother(s). Before that, she will perform the following rituals of pujan, to show her love for her dear brother

Apply chandlo on his forehead, with kumkum, then with rice grains.
Place a flower garland around his neck, a garland which she will have made herself (girls who are old enough to use a needle and thread).
Place a whole sweet, usually penda, in his mouth.
Tie the rakhadi on the right wrist. In some communities, this is tied after the first or second step. In return, the brother then presents a gift to her.

12. A big celebration of patriarchal tradition
Yes, it happens in the Indian subcontinent every year. It is a big patriarchal festival celebrated by Hindus. Men and women of all ages, of all classes and of all castes celebrate Raksha Bandhan or the bond of protection. On this auspicious day, sisters tie a silk thread called Rakhi on their brothers
13. Poojan
Raksha Bandhan (the bond of protection in Hindi) is a Hindu festival, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana. Raksha means protection and Banthan means tying. This festival is between brothers and sisters, where the sister ties a Rakhi on her brothers
14. Mantra for Raksha Bandhan
Yena baddho balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah; Tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshey maa chala maa chala

Meaning I am tying on your hand this Raksha, with which the most powerful and generous King Bali himself was bound; O Raksha, don

15. Rakhi Thali
When it the time for celebrating the Rakhi festivity, enormous varieties of Rakhi thalis are available in the market. Decorated in a traditional manner, these Rakhi thalis resemble the thalis meant for performing pujas of the deities. The Raksha bandhan thali usually consists of a rakhi, diya, vermillion that is used to apply tika on the forehead of brothers, rice and sandalwood. Read on to find out as to how to decorate the Rakhi puja thali.

When it comes to Rakhi thali decoration, there can be a plenty of variations in the style of Rakhi thalis as well as the way they are adorned. If you go about hunting for Rakhi puja thalis, youll be awestruck by the mesmerizing designs that are finding their way in the embellishment of the Rakhi puja thalis. In the contemporary times, a great diversity is offered in the market, in terms of the material and styling of the Rakhi thalis, that a common man is bound to get confused thinking as to which one to shop for. Prefer going in for brass or silver plated rakhi thali, as it is considered to be very auspicious. In the heart of the thali, paint a Swastika, which is a symbol of Lord Ganesha. Buy three small size containers, one for rice and water, second for placing roli and the third for keeping a diya and an incense stick stand. Pick up a nice beaded rakhi that can further enhance the charm of your thali. Border your Rakhi thali using fresh flowers. If you want to place the sweets in the thali itself, then you can either keep them on the corner side or take a separate container and your rakhi thali is ready.

16. Rakhi Around The World
  • Rakhi In Europe
    Rakhi is also celebrated with great zeal in various countries of Europe. It is celebrated by the South East Asian population residing here. People from different parts of the city gather at a common place at times to give festive touch to this occasion. As there are several people who live in these foreign states alone, they have developed brotherhood amongst themselves. Girls tie Rakhis to boys who are not their real brothers but their foster brothers.

  • Rakhi In Nepal
    Nepal is the only Hindu Country in the world. There are also many Indians residing in the country. So, in Nepal you will feel homelike on the Indian festivals like Rakhi. Very similar to India, in Nepal also people celebrate this occasion as a commemoration of brother sister relationship. The festival begins with the ceremony of tying Raksha Sutra on brother hand and comes to an end with feasting and family get togethers.

  • Rakhi In Australia
    There is also commendable Asian population in Australia. Most of them are Indian students and professionals. So, on the occasion of Rakhi, these people generally celebrate it by community gathering and feasting. In countries like Australia, where the native population is completely alien to any such festival getting Raksha sutra in market is a little difficult, so people preferably tie bands or bracelets around bother hand. Very much like European Asian community, people here also have the concept of foster brothers and sisters as most of the people live away from their family.

  • Rakhi In Gulf Countries
    The concept of Rakhi in Gulf countries is very new. Since, the time Indians have started moving in these countries for working in Oil companies and factories, they have also introduced the concept of Indian festivals like Rakhi in the Gulf culture. Though the native people do not celebrate this festival, the Indians here nake this occasion look like festival in their community. Many communities of Indian origin who do not have the Rakhi culture back home enthusiastically participate in this festival to increase warmth and love in their relations with the fellow Indians living abroad.
  • 17. Types of Rakhi
    Rakhi Cards

    Sometimes it becomes quite impossible to celebrate the festival of Rakhi personally for those sisters or brothers who stay away from each other for varied reasons. There is a saying,

    18. The Message of Rakhi
    Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the unmatched bond of love, care and respect. But in a broader perspective the festival of Rakhi (Raksha Bandhan) conveys an intrinsic message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood. Thus the festival of Rakhi conveys a message that has socio spiritual significance underscoring the need for nurturing of positive qualities, purity in thought, word and deed.
    19. Rakhi Food
    Raksha Bandhan (the bond of protection in Hindi) or Rakhi is a Hindu festival, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana festival is marked by the tying of a rakhi, or holy thread by the sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her. The brother and sister traditionally feed each other sweets. It is still celebrated today, and the brother and sister have to treat each other well for the day. As usual any festival is incomplete without good food.like Gujia Potato Samosa Khoya Peda Balushahi Banana Cutlet Cabbage and Carrot Bhujiya Rakhi Ghevar Kheer Milk Burfi Pista Sandesh etc.