Power and Symbolism of the Rakhi Thread

Rakshabandhan is celebrated on “Shravan Poornima” which is the full moon day in the Hindu calendar month of Shravana. The festival is a celebration of the eternal bond between brothers and sisters. Rakshabandhan is marked by the tying of the sacred thread which is known as Rakhi. And on the day of the festival it is the custom for the sisters tie rakhis around the wrists of their brothers. It is a symbol of binding the brother and sister to a relationship of a lifetime. Rakshabandhan means the tie or bond of protection and in return for the rakhis, the brothers take a pledge to protect and safeguard their sisters from all harm. The rakhi thread itself also occupies an honored place in Indian traditions. In fact it is deemed so powerful that when a woman ties the rakhi on the wrists of any male, he naturally takes on the role of a real brother and thus become honor bound to protect her at all times. There are many tales from history which illustrates this glorious tradition. Mention maybe made of the Mughal Emperor Humayun who rushed to the aid of Rani Karnawati of Chittor after she sent a rakhi to him. And in another story, after Alexander’s wife Roxana tied a rakhi on the wrists of King Porus, he protected Alexander in battlefield.

The traditions of the rakhi have been maintained for generations and people still follow them closely today. Even in this modern age when family members often stay in faraway places, they still send each other rakhi and gifts for the festival. Nowadays one can buy fancyrakhi online and have it delivered to any destination of their choice and this makes it easy for siblings to keep in touch. Even brothers can also buy gifts for rakhi online and have them delivered to their sisters for the festival.

Legends associated with Raksha Bandhan

There are numerous stories and legends associated with the festival of Raksha Bandhan. In fact almost every festival in India has a mythological origin.  A legend surrounding the festival comes from the epic Mahabharata. Yudhishthira, the eldest son of Pandavas was advised by Krishna to observe the rituals of Raksha Bandhan to ensure his safety in the battle against the Kauravas. He did so and despite the fact that Pandavas had lesser manpower and resources, they won the war.

It is also believed that Yamuna used to tie a rakhi on the wrist of Lord Yama, the god of Death, as a talisman for safeguarding. She used to do this on every Shravan Poornima. And ever since, it has become the custom for sisters to tie rakhis on their brother’s wrists on this day.

Raksha Bandhan means “the bond of protection.” The main traditions of the festival is the tying of the sacred thread known as rakhi, and the vow of protection taken by the person on whose hand it is tied on. Another important tradition is the custom of rakhi return gifts which brothers give to their sisters in return for the rakhis. And with Raksha Bandhan just around the corner, people can be seen thronging marketplaces to buy rakhis and gifts. But in this age of computers people prefer to shop for their Raksha Bandhan gifts online. An added advantage of online rakhi shopping is that they can buy fancy rakhi online and have them delivered to their siblings in faraway places.

The Importance and Value of Rakhi

One of the most popular festivals of the country is Rakshabandhan. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and with much joy all over the nation. The festival is celebrated in honor of the special and beautiful relationship between brothers and sisters. On the day of the festival it is the custom of the sisters to tie a ritual thread known as rakhi around the wrists of their brothers. The rakhi is a symbolism of the lifetime bond between them. It is believed that the rakhi is so powerful and the ties it bounds are unbreakable. A man tied by a rakhi naturally assumes the role of a real brother for the woman who tied it and he must also protect her at all costs.

In the annals of Indian history we find that the Emperor Humayun rushed to the aid of Rani Karnawati after she sent a rakhi to him. The Indian king Porus protected Alexander the great in the battlefield after Alexander’s wife tied a rakhi on his wrists.

The custom of rakhi is considered to be of great importance in Indian traditions. Even when they can’t be there in person for the festival, people always send rakhi and gifts to their siblings through postal and courier services. Nowadays with the advent of internet gifts delivery business people can also buy gifts for rakhi online and send them to their siblings in distant places. Even the rakhi thread which was originally a simple home- woven thread can also be online found in its many modern formats. And sisters buy fancy Rakhi online which are available in many different designs.

Secular Traditions of Indian Festivals

In India, people celebrate many traditional festivals and most of them are accompanied by religious rites and other traditions. The festivals are socio-religious in content but even when worship is performed according to the specific religious norms, participation in most of the festivals is not restricted to a particular community. Generally members of all the communities participate in the festivities, and the festivals are symbolic of the unity and diversity of Indian cultures.

Raksha Bandhan is one such festival of the country which has transgressed religious and cultural barriers. Although the festival is of Hindu origin, people from all communities whether they are Muslims, Sikhs, Jains or Christians participate in the festival with the same fervor and enthusiasm. The festival is a celebration of the unique relationship between brothers and sisters. On the day of the festival it is the custom for girls to tie a ritual thread around the wrists of their brothers. The thread is popularly known as rakhi and it symbolizes the binding of the siblings into a relationship for life. When a girl ties a rakhi on the wrists of any male it becomes his natural duty to protect her from all harm at all times. So the brothers or the males takes a vow of safeguarding their sisters and also present them with gifts in return for the rakhis.

The rakhi tradition is inherent in Indian culture and people consider it of great importance that they send rakhi and gifts for their siblings even at faraway places. These days in the modern age of the internet people buy their Raksha Bandhan gifts online and have them delivered to a destination of their choice. Not only have some of the old traditions changed but the rakhi thread itself which was originally a home-woven simple thread, are now available in fancy designs.  And the fancy rakhi threads are not sold only in traditional shops and marketplaces but people also buy fancy rakhi online from internet gift stores.

The changing faces of Rakshabandhan

Changes are inevitable with time and nothing remains the same forever. Even traditional festivals go through many changes with the onset of time. The festival of Rakshabandhan too has undergone significant changes in traditions. Some of the major changes are:

1) Fancy Rakhis: The traditional rakhi thread with its simplistic designs have been taken over by fancy or designer rakhis. A colorful rakhi embellished with radiant stones are one of the most popular fancy rakhi designs.

2) Inclusion of other family members in the rituals: Traditionally the rakhi ritual was confined to sisters and brothers only. But these days, sisters also tie rakhis on the wrists of their brother’s wives.

3) Lumba or Bhabhi Rakhis: The inclusion of sisters in law in the ceremonies has given rise to the lumba. And unlike rakhis they are not worn on the wrists but hooked on to a bangle instead. Lumbas are usually conical in shape with a loop tied to its highest point.

4) Pair of Rakhis: Nowadays people present rakhis in sets for both the brother and his wife. The set of rakhis are usually a rakhi and a lumba with similar features.

5) Rakhi gifts for brother: Traditionally it was only the brother who used to present the rakhi return gifts but now sisters too present rakhi gifts for their brothers.

6) Online rakhi shopping: Nowadays most people don’t go to traditional shops anymore as they prefer to shop for Rakshabandhan gifts online. Online shopping is much more convenient as one doesn’t have to throng busy marketplaces and instead they can have the rakhi gifts delivered at their doorsteps.

Changes and Shifts in Rakhi Gifting Traditions

There are many traditions and customs associated with the festival of Rakshabandhan. People have maintained them for ages and they are still as relevant today. On the day of the festival sisters tie the rakhi on the wrists of their brothers as a symbol of binding them to an everlasting relationship.

Rakshabandhan translates from Sanskrit as “the tie or bond of protection, “and this is in significance of the custom for brothers taking a solemn vow to safeguard their sisters at all costs in return for the rakhis. Indian traditions also maintains if a woman ties a rakhi on the wrists of any male, he is obligated to treat her like his real sister and must also protect her from all harm. There are many examples from history which illustrates this glorious tradition. King Porus safeguarded Alexander the great in battlefield after Alexander’s wife Roxana tied a rakhi on his wrists. And the tale of the Mughal Emperor Humayun who rushed to help Rani Karnawati of Chittor after she sent a rakhi to him is another classic example.

But with the onset of time there have been some changes in the traditions of the festival. Traditionally it was only the brothers who presented rakhi return gifts to their sisters but these days sisters too buy gifts for Rakhi and present them to their brothers. The rakhi thread itself has also undergone changes. They were traditionally simple cotton or silk threads woven at home but now people buy fancy Rakhi threads in various designs which are readily available in the market. Although there have been slight changes in the traditions, the essence of sister and brother still stays the same for Rakshabandhan.

Celebrating our Friends on Friendship Day

Friends are one of the most important things in our lives. They keep us happy and add meaning to our lives. They act as a positive influence and we can count on their support when things get tough. A good friend is someone who is there in every twist and turn of life. One might see them every day, once a year, or even less but one thing is for sure that they will always be there for us when the time comes. Our friends don’t care for our riches and material things; instead they love us for what we are.

Friendship is one of basic building blocks of a harmonious society. People have revered friendship from time immemorial. Many cultures from all over the world have stories and legends filled with wonderful tales of friendship. But even though friendship has always been revered, the tradition of celebrating a special day for friends and friendship is comparatively recent.

The idea of Friendship day celebration was originally promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards in 1930. Friendship Day is a worldwide occasion and International Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August every year. People celebrate the occasion together with their friends. They also exchange Friendship day cards, flowers, wrist bands and other gifts. Friendship gifts are tokens of love and symbols of appreciation. A friendship gift on the occasion of Friendship day will go a long way in telling your friends how much they mean to you.

Sending Rakhi Through Courier vs. Online

Rakhi is just around the corner and you are still shuffling through your daily tasks book to plan a day out to buy gifts for Rakhi, right? If you are really planning to gift your siblings on this Raksha Bandhan and not next year, then utilize few MBs of your internet data plan for something good and buy gifts for Rakhi online.

What’s the use of being in 21st century, when we are not taking the advantage of internet and eroding the soles of our expensive footwear in the markets? Gone are the days when celebrating Raksha Bandhan meant sending rakhi and gifts through courier. Isn’t it sounding like using pagers in the era of smart phone?

Well, if you still can’t decide whether to buy online gifts for Rakhi or not, then here are few more reasons to get brainwashed:

1. Online gifting is not only convenient and fast, but fun too.

2. You don’t have to visit different shops to compare the prices; just few tabs on your browser will serve the purpose.

3. Unlike traditional markets you get different payment options, such as debit card, credit card, net banking, cash on delivery, etc.

4. Online Rakhi gifts delivery is much faster than courier services.

5. You can choose delivery options as per the recipient or your convenience, like Same Day, Midnight, Fixed Time or Standard Delivery.

6. You get to enjoy different deals and discounts online, which is not possible otherwise.

So, have you changed your mind? All those who have, don’t wait anymore and shop gifts for Rakhi online and celebrate the bittersweet relationship with your brother or sister.

Rakshabandhan and Their Special Significance for Sisters

Sisters can be a pain in the neck at times but they are the most lovable of them all. Even if they are annoyingly bratty, you cannot help but pamper them. They are most affectionate and adorable, and to a sister, a brother is one of the most important people in her life. He is the one who will protect and care for her no matter what, and he is also the one who have always looked out for her whether at school or at the playground. A brother however strict and stern will always cave in to the smile of his sister. No wonder sisters hold their brothers with deep affection and love.

And Rakshabandhan is the most special occasion for sisters and brothers everywhere. It is the day when sister can affirm her relationship with her brother and also expect loving gifts in return from him. The value of the gifts is not what really matters, but Rakhi gifts for sisters are matters of love and affection. A gift makes her feel secure in that the brother cares for her and she is also proud of his affection that he would take the effort to present her with a heartfelt gift. The tradition of Rakhi gifts for sister holds special significance for them that they will feel hurt and even unloved if by mistake they do not receive one. For a sister nothing could be more of joy and re-assuring than a gift from her beloved brother on the occasion of Rakshabandhan, the special festival for them.

Secular Tradition of Rakhi Festival

Most festivals are celebrations of life and social relationships. They usually celebrate some unique aspect of that community and are means to continue traditions. The mutual exchange of wishes and gifts on festival occasions serve as an enforcer of unity and mutual co-operation. And on the occasion of Rakshabandhan, brothers and sisters and others too exchange gifts. The festival honors the bond of affection between brothers and sisters, and on this day sisters tie the sacred thread rakhi on the brother’s wrists and the brother presents her with gifts in return. Originally a Hindu festival, Rakshabandhan is now celebrated by people from all communities, caste and religion including Muslims, Jains, and Sikhs. It also transcends family boundaries by including friends, neighbors and acquaintances in the ritual. It is maintained in the Indian tradition that whoever is bound by a rakhi from a women naturally assumes the role of her real brother and it also becomes obligatory to protect her at all times.

Rakshabandhan is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and joy by people all over the country and the Indian Diaspora worldwide. Traditionally on this occasion, the brothers present their sisters with gifts but nowadays sisters too present gifts to their brothers. The Rakhis itself is now available in a variety of designs and styles, and they are popularly known as fancy Rakhis. Embellished with colorful motifs and studded with precious stones, the fancy rakhis are a visual delight and a captivating sight. It is now easy to shop for rakhis online fancy Rakhi and gifts too can be ordered and sent to a destination anywhere in the country or aboard.

Rakhi Gifts - A Shift in Tradition

Festivals are a time for a variety of religious and cultural celebrations. They also serve as a means to pass down traditions and customs through the generations. And Rakshabandhan is a popular Indian festival that has been going through ages. The festival honors the eternal bond between brothers and sisters and on the day of the festival they reach out to one another in order celebrates the occasion together and with other family members.

Rakshabandhan is a Sanskrit word that literally translates as a tie or bond of protection and on the occasion is marked by the tying of the ritual thread which is also known as Rakhi. On the day of the festival, the brother visit their sisters and they are then tied a rakhi by their sisters after an elaborate pooja ceremony. The brothers in return make a solemn pledge to protect and safeguard her sister from all harm. He also presents her with return gifts on the occasion.

Rakshabandhan is also a festival that transcends family ties. People tie rakhis to people who they consider as brothers including neighbors, relatives and friends. And in Indian tradition it is maintained that when a woman ties the thread on any male, he becomes like her real brother and thus honor bound to protect and safeguard her at all costs.

Like all other traditional festivals, Rakshabandhan too has undergone some changes with the onset of time. The shift in the tradition of gift giving by the brothers is a significant change and nowadays sisters too present gifts for Rakhi. The rakhi itself which was originally a simple cotton or silk thread is now available with studded gemstones and in gold and silver threads. And with the rise of the internet, people now buy rakhi gifts online and send them to their siblings in other cities or abroad.

The Convenience of Online Rakhi Shopping

On the occasion of Rakshabandhan, people reach out to their brothers and sisters and distance may prove a hindrance sometimes. In olden days and when times were relatively easy, people do not have to venture that far from their homes to earn their livelihoods. But in a fast paced and rapidly changing world, the situation has turned into such a way that young people had to move out of their homes at such young ages. It may be for higher education and further studies or a job in another city or country. And nowadays families too settle far in different states and different countries abroad. So on Rakshabandhan when it is customary to exchange gifts and best wishes between brothers and sisters, the physical nature of separation may prove to be a stumbling block in partaking in the festivities.

Online sites and gifts delivery services provide a way out of this dilemma. They offer a plethora of rakhi gifts ideas and other exclusive presents that you can order from anywhere. Arranging a delivery of Rakhi Gifts to USA or anywhere in the country is just a matter of minutes. One can buy Rakhi online USA and have it delivered to any destination in the country. Totally hassle free, online shopping also lets you save up on considerable time and money. A trip to the crowded market is not necessary anymore and anyone can send Rakhi to USA from the comfort of their homes.

Rising Trend of Online Rakhi Shopping

Online shopping for Rakhi is an emerging trend nowadays. Rakshabandhan, as traditionally celebrated involves brothers visiting their sisters’ place and getting the Rakhi tied in a small formal ceremony. In case they stay far from each other, sisters send their rakhis by post or courier services along with roli, rice particles and various sweets. But with online shopping with its added convenience of hassle free shopping and delivery options to any part of the world is serving to be a most handy platform for all. A lot of Rakhi gift ideas are available on the internet and most online retailers’ provide a well stocked collection of rakhis and various other Rakshabandhan gifts.

On the occasion of the festival, gift giving is a traditional and popular custom. Though it was only the brothers who used to present their sisters with gifts, these days with the onset of time, sisters too gift their brothers with presents for the festival. Online sites offer a plethora of gifting options including special rakhi gift ideas for sisters and various other gift hampers. From chocolates and flowers to accessories like handbags and jewelry, the list of unique rakhi gift ideas is nearly endless. Traditional sweets in ethnic thalis are one of the most popular gift items of the season.

Rakshabandhan can be a sentimental issue for some families whose members stay apart. And with a vast number of Indians living abroad, the onset of online sites has proved to be a boon for this festival.

Prayers, Wishes and Rakhi Gifts for Brothers

Raksha Bandhan, also abbreviated to Rakhi, is an ancient Indian festival that celebrates love, brotherhood and sibling ties. It is celebrated on the full moon in the Hindu calendar month of Shravana which usually falls in August. Traditionally, during the festival, sisters tie a rakhi, a bracelet made of interwoven red and gold threads, around their brothers' wrists to celebrate their relationship. Today the festival is not only limited to brother-sister ties, priests too tie rakhis around the wrists of congregation member and Rakhis are often shared between close friends. It is believed that when a woman ties this sacred thread then it becomes obligatory for him to honor his religious duty and protect her.

On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the sisters perform poojas and offers prayers for the safety and well being of their brothers. They then tie a rakhi on the brother’s wrist and at the end of the ceremony the sister places a sweet in her mouth. Following this, her brother gives her a token gift of appreciation. The gifts may be anything from monetary gifts to elaborate presents. The tradition was for brothers to present their sister with gifts in return for the rakhis, but the festival has evolved over the years and sisters too present Rakhi gifts for brothers.  Even with these changes, the festival continues to foremost honor and upholds the relationship between a sister and brother. The trend of rakhi gifts for brother is also significant of the love and relationship between them.

The Secular Outlook of Rakshabandhan

Even though Raksha Bandhan is traditionally a Hindu festival, the occasion has now turned out into a much more secular even with people from all religions and ethnicities participating in it. The festival is celebrated predominantly in the subcontinent of India and in the rest of the world with considerable Indian population. But it is not Hindus alone, Muslims, Sikhs and Jains to participate in this unique festival. Raksha Bandhan transcends religious boundaries and cuts across cultural boundaries.

The festival is also an occasion for renewing societal ties and family gatherings. On the day of the festival, after the sister has tied the sacred thread known as rakhi around the wrists of their brother, the tradition is for the brother to bless and present her with gifts. The rakhi gifts for sisters are a token of his accepting her love and relationship and they portray commitment and security. The brothers take a bow to protect their sisters at all costs with these return gifts. The act of tying rakhi and gifting is not limited to real brothers and sisters; even biologically unrelated people tie Rakhis and present gifts to one another. Anyone whom we consider as brothers or sisters are remembered on this occasion, and even if one stays abroad or are far from home, they still send Rakhi gifts to sister through couriers and online services. Raksha Bandhan is a festival that promotes harmony and mutual love between people near or afar, and across religions and blood ties.

Cover Distances with Rakhi Gifts Online

Raksha Bandhan is a traditional festival commemorated on the Hindu month of Shravana. The day is special as it is an important occasion for social gatherings and renewing familial ties. The festival honors the special relationship between brothers and sisters. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan the sister ties a sacred thread known as Rakhi around the wrist of her brother. It is a token of love and commitment, while the brother in turn presents her with gifts and takes a vow to protect her for all time. The day is marked by gifting and in this modern age the trend is for both sisters and brothers who present gifts to each other.

There are a plethora of gifts for rakhi available online. Ranging from the traditional to the modern and various exclusive gift hampers, the options are nearly endless. Choose from an amazing range of beautifully designed and embellished Fancy Rakhis. Pair them along with chocolates or cakes or gift a thali with traditional sweets for a whole hearted gift. You can also pamper them with some exclusive gift hampers including perfumes and bath products, fashion accessories and the best quality soft toys for all ages.

Even if your sibling lives apart from you, you can still reach them and send your gifts and best wishes on this memorable occasion. Buy Rakhi Gifts online and have it delivered to a destination of your choice. Your gifts for rakhi will be there in stipulated time and in pristine condition.

Changes in traditions of Rakhi

The festival of Raksha Bandhan has undergone various changes with the onset of time. Traditionally of Hindu origin, the festival is now celebrated by people of all religions and ethnicities. Muslims, Jains and Sikhs participate whole heartedly in this festival.

On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the brother visits his sister and she performs pooja and ties the sacred thread Rakhi around his wrists. In return, the brother takes a vow to protect and safe guard her and present her with gift. But nowadays this custom is not limited to real or blood brothers and sisters. People tie the sacred thread and present gifts to anyone whom we consider as sisters and brothers.

Rakhi itself has gone through many changes itself. An interesting change is the concept of gifting wristwatches in the place of rakhis and the traditional silk threads has made way to Designer and Fancy Rakhis. These rakhis are a modern embellishment to age old traditions; they come in the form of traditional rakhis but with special designs and adornments. They are more long lasting, attractive and woven with special threads. Prior to this festival, the markets are flooded with these designer threads and online fancy rakhi too is available to cut costs and save time. One can buy Fancy Rakhi online easily and have them delivered to a destination anywhere in the country. They can also be ordered with complementary flowers and other gifts. Even with these changes, the essence of sister-brother relationship still remains the same for Rakshabandhan.