Rekshabandhan is one of the oldest and traditional festival that takes place even now in different part of the country in different ways. These are known in different areas in different ways such as Vish Thadak, Pap Nashan etc.

The different ways the Rekshabandhan celebrated in different ways are:

Rekshabandhan  in Northern Parts:

In northern part, Khajri Poornima is a festival conducted on the very same day to that of Rekshabandhan, but with a slight difference that is it is it a farm festival. Before sowing new seeds in the field special prayers and poojas are being conducted to the Great Goddess and before stepping into the field the farmers are being tied with raki by their sisters..

Rekshabandhan  in Southern Parts:

In some southern parts, this is known in the name ‘Avani Avittom’ and in some other parts ‘Upakaramam’ where all means the same festival. But concerned to Brahmins this is a major day. During this time they tie the raki on their guardians hand takes their blessing. Rekshabandhan is also called as ‘Sravana poornima’.

Rekshabandhan  in Eastern Parts:

In eastern parts it is a festival of the organization called Santi Niketin. In the initial period, Ravindra Tagore had initiated to organize Rekshabandhan. So in order to renew its memory the Rekshabandhan is celebrated in the eastern parts.

Rekshabandhan  in Western Parts:

Narial poornima, which colloquially means Coconut Full Moon Day. Under this name Rekshabandhan is celebrated in western parts. This is celebrated from very period itself. It was traditionally believed that this was to please the Varuna Deva( the god of wind). This is another myth connected with Rekshabandhan.

 Mehandi

There is an important role for mehandi in the festival ofRekshabandhan. Ladies would welcome the rekshabandhan only after applying the mehandi. This is mainly done by women of Mumbai, marvadis etc.

Dress Mode

Both the men and women do take part in this festival in the traditional dressing pattern. Men would wear kurthas and jeans where as the married women would wear stitched sarees and the others salvar-kurta, saree, short kurtas etc are mostly seen out.

Raki Cards

We can say that Raki is a boom period for the merchants. Even days before the festival itself, the loving and caring sisters would buy sweets, gifts and even new dresses and rakies to their beloved brothers. Rakies are mainly selected upon the age of the brothers. Rakies are of different types such as fancy rakies, mouli, rasham and of religious rakies are some of the common types in general market.

There are also some sisters who would parcel the rakies to their loveable brothers. There are also online rakies while is to find the brothers and to find new unknown online brothers! Even musical rakies are also available.

There are even different age groups for rakies too just like in between 15 and 30 the range of rakies is wider such as stoned ones, silver covered, wrist watch styled and so on. Then in the next category that is above 30 the major types are with that of OM raki, Glory family raki and so on……….

In some parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, there are also a different custom of tying by the younger brother rakies to his brother’s wife is also common. Such festival is called as Kanjhan Rakies. After this, the rakies are tied along with the bangles or bracelet so that a feeling of security is held up in them. Then after that, sweets are distributed in order to celebrate that occasion.

1. Silver Ganesh Rakhi

2. Auspicious Dwarka Rakhi

3. Tri colour Rakhi

4. Zardoshi Flower Rakhi

5. Splendid Floral Rakhi

6. Floral Rakhi

7. Colourful Beads Rakhi

8. Red and Yellow Satin Rakhi

9. Unique Booti rakhi

10. Orange Stone Rakhi

11. Ornamental Zari Rakhi

12. Stone Studded Rakhi

Raki is celebrated on Sravana month’s pournami i.e. on the full moon day.

On that day, sisters will tie the raki on their brother’s hand. On that day every one would be ready in the dawn with fully decorated and in new dresses with a plate where gopi, a small lamp, grain powder, and some rakies are kept with it when brothers come they are being applied the gopi, then some grain powders then that lamp will be rounded around them after that for their protection as well as for the brother’s long-life the raki is being tied on their right hand.

Then after that some home made sweets are being given to their brothers. Another main reason for tying the raki is that the brother is taking an oath that he will safeguard his sister and sees that she will not be in trouble and is available to her when ever she requires and as concerned to her she prays that her brother will live for many years and all success follows him and sees that he does not diversifies to any other bad ways and will be a good citizen for the country. (what a great idea !!!)