Raksha bandhan is an Indian festival that celebrates the love between sister and brother. It is also celebrated between any female and any male, regardless of age, to mark their sacred sister-brother like protective and respectful relationship.
Raksha Bandhan is being celebrated by Hindus in across the world today, including in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
On this day, a sister ties a Raksha Bandhan also know as a Rakhi around the wrist of her brother in order to pray for his prosperity, health and well-being. The brother in return offers gifts and promises to always protect his sister from any harm.
It is originally a Hindu festival which is now celebrated by many communities, honouring the bond and love between a brother and sister. It is ‘the tie or knot of protection’. ‘Raksha’ stands for the protection and ‘Bandhan’ signifies to tie.
It includes all and anyone that is deemed to be a brother or sister – distant family members, relatives, cousins and friends.
It is a bracelet made of interwoven red thread, with many having elaborate decorations on them.
The festival relates to many aspects of hindu mythology.
Lord Indra- the deity of sky, rains and thunderbolts was protected by a holy bracelet made from cotton thread. These holy threads with amulets and were used by women for prayers and were tied to their husband when they were leaving for war to protect them from evil happenings.
Goddess Lakshmi tied the rakhi around the wrist of King Bali in order for protection for her and her family.
Krishna and Draupadi- Based on an account of Mahabharat, Draupadi, wife of Pandavas tied a rakhi to Lord Krishna.
We asked Brummies what Raksha Bandhan means to them and why they celebrate it:
Mohinder Sharma
“It’s beautiful, its one way of making time for your loved ones and I love my sisters”
Daljeet Kaur
“I’m independent I can protect myself, but getting extra protection from my brother that’s even stronger, it takes me back to when we were younger running around in muck laughing and shouting”
Mikka Jonas
“I don’t have a sister, but one of my close friends became my sister at uni, the delight on my face every year where I get a letter and card through the post with a Raksha Bhandan on it – its priceless”
K Sharda
“Always enjoy this time of year, going down the Soho road choosing a rakri, the big ones, the flowery ones, the glittery ones, I just get the simple ones – there is nothing more simple than love.”
R Kumari
“I always send 4 rakris out, friends at uni who are like my brothers. I’m a hindu, they are sikh, two are muslim and the other isn’t religious. But they are my brothers and they treat me like their sister – its not just this day but every day.”
Raksha Bandhan being is celebrated on Thursday 15th August 2019, which is also Indian Independence Day.
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