The Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan begins today, with people across the world taking the opportunity to honour their brothers and sisters.
Raksha Bandhan is observed on the last day of the lunar month of Shravan in the Hindu calendar, which typically falls in August.
The most significant part of the celebrations sees sisters tie a sacred thread or talisman – known as the rakhi – around their brother’s wrists, and in return the brothers give their sisters a gift. This symbolises care and protection.
“Raksha bandhan” translates to mean “the bond of safety and security” that siblings promise each other, no matter the circumstances.
When is Raksha Bandhan 2023?
The date of Raksha Bandhan changes each year, depending on the lunar cycle. It is celebrated on the day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Shravan.
This year, the festival will be celebrated on both Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 August.
This is because of something known as Bhadra Kaal, during which one should not perform Raksha Bandhan rituals. In astrology, Bhadra Kaal is when the Sun is within the Zodiac sign Leo. This is due to end at 9.01pm on Wednesday. Due to this being at night, Raksha Bandhan is taking place over two days, with the tying of rakhi coming on the Thursday.
What is the meaning behind Raksha Bandhan?
As one of the oldest festivals in India, Raksha Bandhan – also known as Rakhi – is a day that celebrates the bond and love between a brother and sister, or siblings in general. In Sanskrit, raksha stands for the protection and bandhan means to tie.
The festival was born from an ancient story about Lord Krishna and his friend Draupadi, a pair who embodied platonic and caring male and female friendships in Hindu scripture.
The story goes that Lord Krishna cut his finger while using his divine discus. His good friend Draupadi rushed to help with the wound, wrapping the loose end of her sari around his bleeding finger.
In the ancient story, Lord Krishna went on to promise Draupadi eternal and unwavering protection in thanks of her care – a promise that he kept, especially during her public humiliation in the Hastinapur royal court.
How is Raksha Bandhan celebrated?
During Rakhi, every member of the family rises early for rituals; a special puja thali is prepared for the ceremony and roli, rice grains, diya, sweets and rakhis are kept in the thali.
As the rakhi is tied, a prayer is made asking for happiness and prosperity either in Sanskrit or Punjabi. After sisters tie the rakhi, the brother in return offers a gift and promises to protect his sister from any danger.
These days rakhis are decorated with multi-coloured silk thread, and often adorned with stones and beads.
Those who don’t have a brother or male cousins usually tie rakhis on their elder sister’s hand, or celebrate the occasion with other relatives or friends.