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.
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