Also known as: Rakhi, Rakhi Purnima, Shravani Purnima, Narali Purnima, Avani Avittam · Observed: North and Western India; observed widely across the country
Significance of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan means the bond of protection. On this full moon of Shravana, a sister ties a sacred thread, the rakhi, on her brother's wrist, applies tilak and prays for his wellbeing; the brother in turn gives her a gift and promises to protect her. Over time the festival has extended to cousins and to people who regard each other as brothers and sisters regardless of birth, and rakhis are sometimes tied to soldiers, friends and community leaders as a sign of trust.
The older Vedic form of the custom was the tying of a raksha sutra by priests on their patrons for protection during the coming year, a practice still followed on this day in many temples and households.
Legends of the Rakhi
The Bhavishya Purana tells that when Indra was losing a war against the asuras, his wife Shachi tied a sacred thread, empowered by Vishnu, on his wrist on Shravana Purnima, and he was victorious. In another story, after Vishnu as Vamana won the three worlds from King Bali, he agreed to guard Bali's kingdom; Lakshmi, wishing her husband to return, tied a thread on Bali's wrist as a sister and asked for Vishnu's release as her gift. The Mahabharata tradition recalls Draupadi tearing a strip of her sari to bandage Krishna's bleeding finger, and Krishna's later protection of her honour in the Kaurava court as repayment of that bond. Yama and his sister Yamuna are also remembered, Yama promising immortality to brothers whose sisters tie them a rakhi.
Regional Observances
In North India the day is a family celebration, with sisters preparing a thali of roli, rice, a lamp, sweets and the rakhi. In coastal Maharashtra and Goa, the same full moon is Narali Purnima, when fishing communities offer coconuts to the sea to mark the end of the monsoon and the reopening of fishing. In Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and the Telugu states, Brahmin communities observe Avani Avittam or Upakarma, renewing the sacred thread and beginning the annual study of the Vedas. In Gujarat, Pavitropana involves offering cotton threads to Shiva, and in parts of North India the day is also called Kajari Purnima, linked with planting and agricultural rites. In Odisha and Bengal, Jhulan Purnima concludes the swing festival of Radha and Krishna.
How the Date Is Determined
Raksha Bandhan falls on Shravana Purnima, the full moon tithi of the month of Shravana. The rakhi ceremony is preferably performed in the aparahna, the afternoon portion of the day, while Purnima is in force. An important rule is the avoidance of Bhadra, the period of Vishti karana that occupies the first half of Purnima. If Bhadra covers the morning and afternoon, the ceremony is done after Bhadra ends, and if Purnima runs over two days, almanacs choose the day that offers aparahna free of Bhadra. This is why published auspicious times for tying rakhi sometimes fall in the evening.
Rituals and customs
- Sisters prepare a thali with roli, rice, lamp, sweets and the rakhi
- Tilak and aarti for the brother before tying the rakhi
- Brothers give gifts and promise protection
- Avoiding Bhadra (Vishti karana) for the ceremony
- Upakarma and renewal of the sacred thread in the South
- Coconut offerings to the sea on Narali Purnima