Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters; the festival is also popularly used to celebrate any brother-sister like loving protective relationship between men and women who are relatives or biologically unrelated.[2][3] It is called Rakhi Purnima, or simply Rakhi, in many parts of India.[4] The festival is observed by Hindus, Jains, and many Sikhs.[5] Raksha Bandhan is primarily observed in India, Mauritius and parts of Nepal. It is also celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs in parts of Pakistan,[6] and by some people of Indian origin around the world.[7] Raksha Bandhan is an ancient festival, and has many myths and historic legends linked to it. For example, the Rajput queens practised the custom of sending rakhi threads to neighbouring rulers as token of brotherhood.[8][9] On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a rakhi (sacred thread) on her brothers wrist. This symbolizes the sisters love and prayers for her brothers well-being, and the brothers lifelong vow to protect her.[10][11] The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar.[12] Significance Raksha Bandhan in Sanskrit literally means the tie or knot of protection.[13] It is an ancient Hindu festival that ritually celebrates the love and duty between brothers and their sisters.[3][14] The sister performs a Rakhi ceremony, then prays to express her love and her wish for the well being of her brother; in return, the brother ritually pledges to protect and take care of his sister under all circumstances. It is one of the several occasions in which family ties are affirmed in India.[2] The festival is also an occasion to celebrate brother-sister like family ties between cousins or distant family members,[15] sometimes between biologically unrelated men and women.[16] To many, the festival transcends biological family, brings together men and women across religions, diverse ethnic groups and ritually emphasizes harmony and love. It is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Śrāvaṇa, and typically falls in August every year.[2][3][17] Description and rituals Women shopping for Rakhi, the ceremonial thread marking brother-sister love, before the Raksha Bandhan festival. The festival is marked by the several rituals, which vary regionally within India. Typical rituals include: Prepare for Raksha Bandhan Days or weeks before Raksha Bandhan, women shop for Rakhi, the ceremonial thread to tie around her brothers (or brother-like friends) wrist. Some women make their own Rakhi.[18] A Rakhi may be a simple thread, woven and colorful; or a Rakhi may be intricate with amulets and decoration on top of it. Sometimes, a Rakhi may be a wrist watch or mens wrist accessory in the form of bracelet or jewelry. Rakhi in the form of a colorful woven thread is most common. Typically the brother(s) too shop for gifts for the sister, ahead of Raksha Bandhan. The gift from the brother can be a simple thoughtful token of love, and may be more elaborate.[2][19] Rakhi ritual On the morning of Raksha Bandhan, the brother(s) and sister(s) get together, often in nice dress in the presence of surviving parents, grandparents and other family members. If the sister and brother are geographically separated, the sister may mail the Rakhi ahead of the Raksha Bandhan day, along with a greeting card or letter wishing her brother well. The ritual typically begins in front of a lighted lamp (diya) or candle, which signifies fire deity. The sister and brother face each other. The sister ties the Rakhi on her brothers wrist.[2] Prayer, aarti, promise and food The Festival of Raksha Bandhan Raksha Bandhan, tie the thread of sister-brother love ritual.jpg 1. Tie the Rakhi Raksha Bandhan, mark his forehead ritual.jpg 2. Wish, do Tilak, promise Raksha Bandhan, feed him with dessertssweetscookie ritual.jpg 3. She feeds him with her hands Raksha Bandhan, the hugs after the festive celebration.jpg 4. Hugs and gifts The key rituals of Raksha Bandhan. In the fourth image, the two Rakhis are evident on the brothers wrist. Once the Rakhi has been tied, the sister says a prayer for the well being - good health, prosperity and happiness - for her brother. This ritual sometimes involves an aarti, where a tray with lighted lamp or candle is ritually rotated around the brothers face, along with the prayer and well wishes. The prayer is a self composed note, or one of many published Rakhi poems and prose.[20][21] One of the earliest examples of a Rakhi prayer is found in Book V, Chapter V of Vishnu Purana; it is the prayer that Yasoda says while tying a Raksha Bandhan amulet on Krishnas wrist.[22][23] An abridged form of the prayer is: May the lord of all beings protect you, May the one who creates, preserves and dissolves life protect thee, May Govinda guard thy head; Kesava, thy neck; Vishnu, thy belly; the eternal Narayana, thy face, thine arms, thy mind, and faculties of sense; May all negativity and fears, spirits malignant and unfriendly, flee thee; May Rishikesa keep you safe in the sky; and Mahidhara, upon earth. After the prayer, the sister applies a tilak, a colorful mark on the forehead of the brother. After the tilak, the brother pledges to protect her and take care of his sister under all circumstances.[2][13] The sister then feeds the brother, with her hands, one or more bites of sweets (desserts), dry fruits and other seasonal delicacies.[13][24] Gifts and hugs The brother gives his sister(s) gifts such as cards, clothes, money or something thoughtful. The brother may also feed his sister, with his hands, one or more bites of sweets, dry fruits and other seasonal delicacies. They hug, and the larger family ritually congratulate the festive celebration of brother-sister love and protection.[2][19] The brother(s) wear the Rakhi for the entire day, at school or work, as a reminder of their sister(s) and to mark the festival of Raksha Bandhan.[25] A more formal Aarti plate for Raksha Bandhan.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 03:15:48 +0000
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