Rakhi Celebration : The true meaning of human values

Indians believe that relationships are the essence of celebration. Rakhi festival in India holds the true meaning. Also known as Raksha Bandhan, this festival brings the whole family together. That mere togetherness is celebration which calls for a total festive environment.

Raksha bandhan is a day to celebrate the sacred relation of brothers and sisters. It is a festival that primarily belongs to the North and Western regions of India but celebrated throughout the country with the same verve. Regional celebrations may be different but Raksha bandhan has become an integral part of the custom and tradition of India.

A knot of never dying relationship

A Rakhi is not a mere a thread but a strong knot of never dying relationship between siblings. A simple thread of Rakhi is strong enough so that can create an eternal bond between a brother and a sister. A Rakhi is directly associated with other values like love, joyfulness, rituals, sentiments and pray to God. The festival of Rakhi is considered as a unique festival as it promote these values of life. On this auspicious day, several rituals and traditional customs are fulfilled by the family members.

Significant names of Raksha Bandhan

Since, the festival is being celebrated in every corner of India and abroad, it is known by many different names like

• Vish Tarak - the destroyer of venom,

• Punya Pradayak - the bestower of boons, and

• Pap Nashak - the destroyer of sins.

Traditional way to celebrate Rakhi Festival

Every year, the festival of Rakhi falls on the 'Shravana Purnima' (the full moon day) as per the Hindu calendar. This generally comes in August or September. All the sisters on the day of Rakhi festival wake up early in the morning, take bath and offer prayer to God. It is there in tradition that sister prepares the pooja thali with kumkum powder, diya, chawal, rakhis, sweets to make her brother feel all the more important.

Sisters begins with a prayer to God, tie a rakhi on the brother's wrist and make wish for their well-being. The brother in turn acknowledges the love with a promise to be by the sisters' side through the thick and thin and gives her a token gift. This unique festival creates a feeling of belongingness and oneness amongst the family.