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.
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