Raki festival

History
Rakh has many myths connected to it like other festivals of India. There are some myths you might have not heard before.

The most important evidence in history is the tale of Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun. Dating back to 1535 CE, Rani Karnavati, Rajputs were battling against Muslims. During that era, Rakhi meant a sacred binding of thread and affection of sisters for her brothers. When Rani, widowed queen of the king of Chittor, came to know that there was no way to protect her army from the invasion of the sultan of Gujarat, Bahdaur Shah, the queen decided to send the Rakhi to Emperor Humayun. He got enthused by such gesture and decided to defend Chittor with his army.

Another mythology is of Yama and the Yamuna. Their tale stands for the pure brother-sister affection and sacrifice. It offers every man the excellent view to consider every lady as sister or mother. According to the mythology, Yamuna tied a thread of protection and love to her brother's hand and bestowed mortality. Yama, the god of death was touched by the harmony of the festival and said that whosoever ties a Rakhi from his sister will attain the never-ending protection.

The sacred festival of Raksha Bandhan has its mention in Mahabharta when Draupadi tied a band of love and affection around Krishna's wrist. It is also deemed that that Kunti tied Rakhi on her grandson Abhimanyu's hand, in prior to the battle.

People from different religions and faiths celebrate this auspicious festival on a full moon day which falls in the month of July or August. According to the folklore, it provides spiritual reasons to celebrate the occasion. With major transforms in life, this sacred Raksha Bandhan festival has gone through scores of changes.

Raksha Bandhan has kept its splendor and revered sensation in modern times also. Everyone should celebrate this sacred festival of Rakhi with great enthusiasm and fidelity.


The holy thread of love and protection, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in the month of Shravana mostly in the northern and western parts of India. During the festival, sisters tie a colorful band to her brother's wrist, which is also known as Rakhi, showing touching sentiments for one another. It fortifies the bond between the brothers and sisters. Like other festivals, this one also has some rites and customs attached to it which are seen with great sacred zeal. It is not only the bond that represents the affection of the brother-sister relation, but as well friendship and presenting something to each other.

Tying of sacred thread on the brother's wrist, it is a day when they go out to get the best stuff for each other. From trendy Rakhis, sweets to chocolates, all these create never-ending bond between brothers and sisters. If a boy doesn't have a sister, then girl from his relations tie Rakhi on his wrist, displaying her love for him.

Once the Rakhi is tied around the wrist, the sister states a prayer for the happiness, joy, safety and prosperity for her brother. The sister also organizes the pooja thali that includes chawal, sweets, diya and roli. It is a superb opportunity for everyone to celebrate. All those who don't get time to get-together on this
day because of some reasons can send Rakhi cards or messages for showing their feelings and love.Festivals are the celebration of togetherness in India. They play an important role to build a better society, where positive values flourish and the spirit of co-operation prevails. There are many auspicious days in India, which are celebrating by Indians with a lot of zest and spirit. Rakhi Purnima or Rakha Bandhan is one of them. It is known by various names; Vish Trak - the destroyer of venom, Punya Pradayak- the best ower of boons and the Pap nashak- the destroyer of sins.

In the Indian mythology, a full moon day is considered to be an auspicious day. Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi falls on a full moon day in the month of Shravana (August) according to the Hindu lunisolar calendrer. All Hindus do land up to celebrate Raksha Bandhan through-out the world, mainly in India, Nepal and some regions of Pakistan. Raksha Bandhan is known by the different names in different regions of India. The rituals may differ a little from region to region but generally carry the same aura. For the farmers, it is celebrated as "Kajri Purnima". On this day, they started sowing wheat and pray to god for good crops and in the costal-regions of India this day is celebrated as "Narayali Purnima". The day is devoted to the God Indra (God of rain), and the God Varuna (God of sea).

Raksha Bandhan has a deep rooted historical significance. There are many legends linked with the past of Hindu religion. According to the Hindu mythology, it is believed that on every Shravana Purnima day the deity Yamuna used to tie a sacred thread on Yama's (God of death) wrist. Yama was so impressed and touched by the serenity of this custom that he declared, who ever got a rakhi tied from his sister would become immortal. From that day the traditional has been performed by the people. Another legend is related to the Mahabharata. In Mahabharata, there is an incident where Lord Krishna was hurt during the war with king Shishupal, and left with bleeding finger. At that moment, Draupati had torn a piece of cloth and tied around his wrist to stop bleeding. Krishna was touched by her gesture and promised to reply her love and devotion in future, whenever she needs that. The legend of mighty king Bali and the deity Laxmi (Goddess of wealth) is also a popular one. But the story of Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun is the most significant evidence in history related with this festival. Rani Karnavati, a widow queen of the king Chittor sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun with a request to save her dignity. The Emperor Humayun touched by the gesture and started with his troops without wasting any time to save her honour but before he reached there, rani performed Joher and sacrificed her life.

Thus, Raksha Bandhan is an ancient Hindu festival, means "a knot of protection", a symbolic renewal of one of the most beautiful emotion in humans. On this auspicious day, as per the tradition sister worship the God and ties a sacred thread on her brother's right wrist and prays for his prosperous future. It exhibits her love and affection for her brother and in the return brother ritually pledges to protect, guard and guide her through her thick and thins for the rest of his life and blesses her with good wishes. They also exchanges gifts and enjoy the day. Now a days, as the life style of the people has been changing, the sisters and brothers who are living away from each other send their wishes through cards and e-mails.

The festival of rakhi brings entire family together and strengthens the bond of love and affection between the siblings. A life long promise is made by the brothers on this day is the essence of brother and sister relationship. Thus it is a symbol of purity of relationship between them.