Raksha Bandhan 2023: Celebration, Significance and Importance of Rakhi

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is known as Rakhi Purnima. It falls on a full moon day in Shravana month. “Rakhi'' symbolises the bond of love and protection between a brother and a sister, while “Purnima” means full moon. Shravana Purnima is celebrated under different names across India per their religious beliefs and cultures. It holds immense significance in the Hindu religion. It is one of the best days to perform rituals. Raksha Bandhan 2023 date is on August 30. 

On this day, sisters perform early morning prayers and tie rakhis on the wrist of their brothers to ask for their lifelong love, care, and protection. This day is significant as it strengthens the bond and makes them acquainted with the love they have for each other. The Rakhi ceremony should be avoided in the Bhadra Kaal due to its inauspiciousness. Instead, the best time is during Aparhana or Pradosh durations on Rakhi Purnima.

Why is Rakhi Purnima Celebrated?

This festival celebrates the unconditional love, protection, and care between brother and sister. The festival cherishes the bond and restores the love each one has for one another. The rich culture and history form the ground evidence that people came closer and bonded as brothers and sisters through this simple ceremony of Raksha Bandhan.

Raksha Bandhan: A Brief History

According to anecdotes from the Bhavishya Purana, the incident of tying the sacred, protective thread around Lord Krishna’s bleeding wrist marked the beginning of this ritual that came to exist in the Hindu society. If you think about it, it has a direct correlation with concern, care, and affection. This act was ceremoniously propagated by Rabindranath Tagore out to the masses, urging the celebration to prevail among Hindus and Muslims alike. He insisted that the two communities tie Rakhis on each other’s wrists and make peace and brotherhood the victor.

Raksha Bandhan Wishes for Brothers and Sisters

Rakhi Purnima denotes caring and safeguarding. It is an auspicious festival celebrated since ancient times in the Hindu religion. It is a symbolic interpretation of the purest bond of love and togetherness between siblings. Historically, when a woman ties a rakhi around a man’s wrist, he becomes entitled to fulfil his religious duties and protect her. This protection of the female is a reflection of affection and love that is celebrated on Raksha Bandhan. All the celebrations bring families closer. India is the only country where these sibling bonds are revered. The siblings wish each other with “Happy Raksha Bandhan” on this day. Brothers give Raksha Bandhan gifts in return for tying rakhi to their sisters. It makes the celebration a joyful event.

Raksha Bandhan Festival Celebrations in India

Shravana Purnima or Rakhi Purnima is an auspicious day in the Panchang, which is highly admired by astrologers to perform all kinds of rituals. The festival brings people closer to the rich culture and traditions of the nation.

Kajali Purnima In Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar

The festival is highly significant in the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. It is known as Kajari Purnima in these regions. It holds immense significance for the farmers as it marks the commencement of the new agricultural season. Farmers belonging to these regions sow crops of wheat and barley during this season. People also offer prayers to Goddess Bhagwati, praying for good crops. The preparations for this festival begin on the ninth day after Kajari Amavasya, which is Kajari Navmi. Some rituals are performed by women, who are blessed with sons until the day of Kajari Purnima.  

Narali Purnima in Maharashtra

The state of Maharashtra celebrates this day in dual ways. Firstly, the citizens follow the traditional customs and rituals of Raksha Bandhan of tying Rakhis on the wrist of their brothers, and secondly, as Narali Purnima. The auspicious day is dedicated to the sea god, Varuna, by offering Nariyal to him in the sea. It falls on the same day as the Shravana Purnima and marks the end of the monsoons in India.

On this auspicious day, people from the fisherman community perform rituals by throwing coconuts into the sea to avoid unavoidable incidents while at the sea. It also observes the jolly acts of people, like dancing and singing at the beaches. It symbolises the beginning of a new fishing season and seeks the blessings of the sea's God to protect them from natural calamities. People offer coconut as prasad on this day and prepare sweet coconut rice at home.

Pavitropana in Gujarat

Rakhi Purnima is celebrated as Pavitropana in some parts of Gujarat. The Gujarati community offers their prayers to Lord Shiva by offering water, milk, curd, honey, and coconut water on Shivalinga on all the Mondays of the Shravana month. They make a twisted filament of cotton that is soaked in a mixture of cow’s milk, ghee, curd, urine, and excreta, called Panchagaivya, which is tied around Shivalinga. It is believed that Lord Shiva will eliminate all the negativities from the Earth and will bring prosperity and peace to it.

Lumba Rakhi in Rajasthan

Sisters share a special bond with their brothers, and this festival cherishes this amazing relationship between the siblings. More focus is on the bonds of brothers and sisters at this festival. The Marwari and Rajasthani community of Rajasthan applauds the beautiful relationship with their sisters-in-law as well as they fulfill their responsibilities of taking care of the sister’s brother to perfection. They do this by tying Lumba Rakhi on the bangles of their bhabhi. The people from these communities believe that a wife is an ‘ardhangini’ and Raksha Bandhan is incomplete without tying rakhi to a sister-in-law.

Lesser Known Facts about Raksha Bandhan

People in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mauritius, and UAE also Celebrate Raksha Bandhan - Not just in India, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in other countries, like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mauritius, and UAE. People in these countries share the same emotions and show similar enthusiasm in observing this auspicious day. 

Rabindranath Tagore Started the Rakhi Mahotsav - Yes, it was Rabindranath Tagore who initiated the Rakhi Mahotsav that is observed ceremoniously across India today. It was he who started out this tradition with a great gesture, urging communal harmony through the gesture.

Lord Indra (God of Rain and Sea) is Worshipped on the Occasion of Raksha Bandhan- Lord Indra, who is the God of Rain and the Sea, is worshipped on this day. He is the deity that people look up to during the month of Shravana when Raksha Bandhan is observed.

Tying a Rakhi around Sister-in-Law’s Wrist is Prevalent in Rajasthan - In Rajasthan, there is a tradition of tying Rakhis around the wrists of sisters-in-law, since they are considered like siblings in the community and no discrimination is made in this regard.

Draupadi Once Tied a Rakhi around Lord Krishna’s Wrist - Upon being saved from humiliation by Lord Krishna, Draupadi or Panchali had tied a Rakhi around Lord Krishna’s bleeding wrist, as a sign of care and devotion.

Ideas for Raksha Bandhan Gifts

Here is few ideas for Raksha Bandhan 2023 gifts you can give to your brothers and sisters:

Personalised Touch: Opt for custom-made photo frames, engraved jewellery, or monogrammed accessories.

Tech Gadgets: Consider gadgets like wireless earbuds, smartwatches, or portable chargers.

Books: Choose books that match your sibling's interests or introduce them to a new genre.

Hobbies: Gift items related to their hobbies, such as art supplies, cooking utensils, or gardening tools.

Beauty and Grooming: Pamper your sister with skincare sets, makeup, or perfumes.

Fashion Accessories: Stylish scarves, handbags, or watches are versatile and trendy options.

Sweets and Chocolates: Traditional sweets, personalized chocolates, or gourmet chocolate boxes.

Experiences: Concert tickets, spa vouchers, or cooking classes for a memorable experience.

DIY Gifts: Handmade cards, crafts, or a heartfelt letter can express your love uniquely.

Gift Hampers: Combine small items like snacks, stationery, and accessories in a thematic gift hamper.

Raksha Bandhan Quotes

Here are few Raksha Bandhan Quotes you can use while celebrating it and also while making wishing cards. These quotes eloquently express the deep emotions that make Raksha Bandhan a cherished occasion.

• "A bond of love and protection," these quotes capture the essence of the festival. 

• "Siblings: partners in crime and keepers of secrets," reflects the cherished camaraderie. 

• "Through thick and thin, we stand together," signifies the unbreakable connection. 

• "Tied by love, strengthened by memories," portrays the sentimental ties. 

• "A thread that symbolizes eternal love," encapsulates the significance of the Rakhi. 

• "Brothers: our first friends and forever protectors," encapsulates the role of brothers. 

Conclusion

Raksha Bandhan festival symbolises the relationship between brothers and sisters. It holds its significance in the Hindu religion. The rituals and traditions followed by the Indian people are the reason for developing the bond and closeness among them. The rakhis are tied around the wrist of the brother by their sister, and it entitles the brother to fulfil his religious duty of protecting his sister. This festival is celebrated under various names, but the emotion continues to remain the same.