Raksha Bandhan, a Celebration That is Part of The Indian Heritage

Hinduism is full of celebrations. Some are dedicated to the gods, but others like Rakhi focus on commitment to family and traditional loyalties. This is the case with Raksha Bandhan, a festival that falls on the brightest night of the month of Shravan (the name of a Hindu month). This special day awakens one of the deepest and most noble emotions: the permanent bond of love between brothers and sisters.

The festival depends on the Hindu lunar calendar but generally falls on some date in August. In 2021, we will celebrate Raksha Bandhan on August 22nd and it is an ideal occasion to give something very special to that sister or friend who is like a brother that you appreciate and respect so much.

In my case, I have seen how my husband celebrates it with his cousin who is like his sister, but I will share that later, now I want to tell you the origin of this celebration.

The Origin of Raksha Bandhan

The origin of the Raksha Bandhan is found in the epic work of Hindu mythology Mahabharata, which relates how during a religious ceremony the god Krishna cut his finger and Draupadi, wife of five Hindu kings, cut off a part of her silk saree and tied to his finger to heal him. Excited by the woman's compassion, Krishna promised to protect her forever.

The festival is deeply rooted in North India. In its origins not only was the bond between the brothers celebrated, but Hindu priests also had to visit the families' houses and receive donations in exchange for the protection of their rituals and amulets. This tradition is still carried out in some places in India but in my husband’s family, they perform it without the priest.

However, what has survived widely is the family side of Raksha Bandhan's day. The ritual consisted of a small pooja or offering in front of the brother to whom a thread bracelet known as rakhi was placed on the arm. The sisters tied this amulet to the brothers seeking to renew their bond and the commitment that they would take care of them if in the future they stopped having their parents or husbands care. The men in return used to make a gift that symbolized the material security that they would provide if they were dependent.

Raksha Bandhan was originally the only day of the year when married women visited their biological families. In the Indian tradition, women through marriage ceased to belong to their family of birth and joined the family of the husband. Thus, during the rakhi celebration, attempts were made to maintain this bond with their siblings and parents and to ensure that they would be protected if they became widows.

The Meaning of Raksha Bandhan Today

Today, Raksha Bandhan maintains its symbology among the brothers. Especially Hindu, Jain, and Sikh women perform poojas, make sweets, and tie rakhi to their brothers, reinforcing the bond between them. In return, they usually get a gift. However, the celebration transcends the close family environment and also encompasses a more generalized display of affection among friends and relatives. The safety of dependent women has been relegated to second place.

Rakhi is also exchanged between men and women and it is very common for people to proudly show that they have received many of these auspicious charms amulets.

What Does Rakhi Symbolize?

The rakhi or bracelet with an amulet is the center of the Raksha Bandhan celebration. It consists of red or saffron-colored cords with a small decorative element in the center that works as an amulet.

The amulets are usually made of disposable plastic or paper. This auspicious element may be a mantra, an om sign (ॐ), or a Hindu Swastika (卐) which in Indian religions is an auspicious sign. There are also those with the god Ganesha who removes obstacles and brings good luck to all kinds of endeavors. Sometimes there are also knots, flowers, or small crystals that imitate semi-precious stones.

Rakhi is a very affordable product since it is a celebration with great popular roots. They are found in any store in the weeks before the party. The simplest rakhi costs between 5 and 20 rupees (less than 1 dollar) depending on their complexity. Its price rises if it is made of quality materials or with more complex decorations.

As in many countries and traditions, traditional festivals evolve towards a sense where gifts are present. In the urban environment, the exchange of gifts of a certain value is increasingly common. That is why many Indian shops are present on this special day so that you can make your purchases for those blood sisters or that life has given you to show them how much you appreciate them.

Raksha Bandhan, a Family Celebration

The celebration begins well in advance. At least a month before, the colorful rakhis spread to all the markets in the country. And on the other hand, for that special day, many people wear a new outfit to buy new clothes and gifts.

In the case of my husband, as I told you at the beginning, I have seen how his cousin tied the rakhi on his wrist. Generally, it is a very nice moment, simple, fast but very nice. Then she fed him sweets and asked for his blessing by touching his feet. In return, my husband gave her a gift. On the other hand, I would like to clarify that Rakhi only ties on men.

And have I done it? No, I do not have a male friend or relative with whom I have a relationship of that type, and my own brother is far away, although it would have been nice to have him closer to tie the Rakhi to him. And can I tie the Rakhi to my husband? well no, the tradition says that it should not do it with the husband.

What Will You Need To Celebrate Raksha Bandhan?

We need to be ready, and for this reason, below you will find some products you will need to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with your loved one.

Cadbury Celebration Rakhi Combo with Chocolates Gift for Brother and Bhabhi Kids / 4 Combo Rakhi Set with Chocolate Cadbury Celebration Pack Hamper / Rakhis Cadbury Set / Raksha Bandhan Gifts Lumba Rakhi Greeting Card

Celebrate Raksha Bandhan in style with the Cadbury Celebration Rakhi Combo, the perfect gift for your brother, bhabhi, and kids! This delightful combo includes a delicious Cadbury Celebration chocolate pack, four beautiful handmade rakhis crafted by artisans in India, a heartwarming greeting card with a quirky Raksha Bandhan wish, Roli, Chandan, and rice for all the traditional rituals.

This thoughtful gift combo is sure to bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones on this special occasion. It's a perfect way to show your appreciation for your brother's unwavering support and your bhabhi's love. The kids will love the delicious chocolates and the beautiful rakhis.

So don't wait any longer, order your Cadbury Celebration Rakhi Combo today and make this Raksha Bandhan truly memorable!

Rakhi Gift for Brother with Chocolates Gift Combo - Premium Rakhi with Chocolates and Roli Chawal Tika - Rakhi for Brother - Rakhi with Cadbury Celebration Gift Hamper

This Raksha Bandhan, strengthen the bond with your brother with this delightful 4-item combo. It's the perfect way to shower him with love and appreciation:

• Premium Rakhi with a Pearl Touch: A beautiful, handcrafted Rakhi featuring a pearl embellishment. This symbol of your love and care will be a cherished keepsake.
• Delicious Cadbury Celebration (Small Pack): Sweeten the occasion with a delightful selection of Cadbury Celebration chocolates! It's a small indulgence that goes a long way.
• Heartfelt Best Wishes Card: Express your deepest emotions with a beautiful greeting card containing a heartfelt Raksha Bandhan message.
• Tilak Set for the Ceremony: Complete the traditional Raksha Bandhan rituals with this convenient Tilak set including roli, chawal, and tika.

This compact combo offers everything you need to celebrate Raksha Bandhan the right way!

• Convenient and Complete: This 4-item combo provides everything you need for a meaningful Raksha Bandhan celebration.
• Meaningful and Memorable: The combination of a beautiful Rakhi, delicious chocolates, and a heartfelt message creates a lasting memory.
• Perfect for All Budgets: This affordable yet thoughtful combo is a great way to show you care, without breaking the bank.

Order this Rakhi Combo today and celebrate Raksha Bandhan with the sweetness of love and tradition!

CraftVatika Rakhi for Brother and Bhabhi Lumba Floral Rakhi Kundan Bracelet Rakhi for Bhaiya Bhabhi Raksha bandhan Couple Pearl Rakhi Set of 2

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