Who Tied the First Rakhi?
As every traditional festivity is associated with ancient legends and myths, Rakhi is no exception to it. Here you would find the tales
and stories related to the Rakhi festival which tells us about the great devotion and the affectionate bond between brothers and sisters:
Rakhi in Mythology- Yama and Yamuna:According to a mythological tale, Yama, the lord of death, was blessed with eternity as his sister Yamun tied up a Rakhi thread on his wrist. Since that time the festival of Raksha Bandhan is associated with tying of Rakhi thread.
- The Tale of Lord Bali and Goddess Laxmi:According to the tale King Bali one day approached to the Lord Vishnu to get his kingdom safeguarded from its enemies. Lord Vishnu decided to help his great devotee and was set to leave his heavenly home. Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu, did not want her lord to leave the home and reached to the Bali's mansion in disguise of Brahmin woman to seek shelter. On the auspicious day of Shravan Purnima Laxmi ji while tying a revered thread on Bali's wrist told her purpose for being there. Touched by the tender feelings of Lakshmi ji for her family, Kind Bali requested Lord Vishnu to not leave his abode. Therefore the Rakhi festival is also called 'Baleva' that means the devotion of King Bali to Lord Vishnu.
- Indra and Sachi: Indra, the king of devtas, had lost his kingdom to the asura Vritra. Indra's wife Sachi than tied a thread around her husband's wrist to ensure his victory in the upcoming war between him and Vrita. This was done at the behest of guru Brihaspati.
- Draupadi and Krishna: Lord Krishna was left with a bleeding finger, after Shishupal's death. To stop the flow of blood, Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, had torn a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist. Touched by her concern, Krishna declared himself to protect her and promised to repay the debt manifold, and spent the next 25 years of his life doing just that.
Rakhi in History- King Porus and Alexandar's wife:Another rakhi tale comes from the battle between Alexander the Greek king, and Porus, the Hindu king. Wife of Alexander sent a sacred thread to Porus, asking him not to harm her husband in battle. In accordance with Hindu traditions, Porus gave full respect to rakhi. In the battlefield, when Porus was about to deliver a final blow on Alexander, he saw the rakhi on his hand and restrained himself from attacking Alexander personally.
- Humayun and Queen Karmavati: Queen Karmavati of Chittor had sent a Rakhi to Humayun to protect her from Bahadur Shah. Humayun, then engaged in an expedition against Bengal, turned back to carry out his sacred brotherly duty and tried to protect her but was too late. Chittor had already fallen and the Rani had immolated herself in the Rajput custom of Jauhar.
- Rabindranath Tagore's call to nation: During the partition of Bengal in 1905, Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate poet used the occasion of the Raksha Bandhan as a community festival and gave a call to tie a rakhi amongst all Hindus and Muslims so as to maintain peace and harmony between them and spread the nationalist spirit among people from different ethnic backgrounds.
This is how Raksha Bandhan came into existence in the ages of old Hindu mythology and has moved into the modern ages as a symbol of universal brotherhood and goodwill.
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Why Rakhi?
Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is of great significance in Indian cultural ethos. It is a festival signifying the essence of the relationship between a brother and a sister. Like any other Indian festival, Rakhi is the celebration of togetherness and love. Raksha Bandhan means bond of protection . It is the affection, admiration, love, fondness, respect and emotional bonding between a brother and a sister that is the meaning of rakhi festival.
The festival falls on the Shravan Purnima which is a full moon day of shravan month and which comes generally in the month of August. On this day, the sisters tie a 'rakhi' or a 'thread' on their brother's wrist and pray for their well being and brothers in return promise to protect their sister from all kinds of problems and difficulties. There is also the custom of giving a gift by the brother to the sister after tying the rakhi.
Significance of Rakhi
The kaleidoscope of Indian culture showcases various colorful festivals, fairs and occasions that are celebrated with much joy and fervor. These festivals herald the message of brotherhood and fraternity among all human beings. Among such auspicious occasions the Rakhi festival holds so much importance for the Hindu community in India and abroad. On the festival of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a thread on their brother's wrist and in return the brother pledges to protect her when the need arises. This fragile thread of Rakhi, which reflects an unconditional bond of affection between brothers and sisters, is considered more stronger than the iron chains.
This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year. The preparations for celebration of Rakhi, which is one of the most awaited festival in India, starts much earlier than the day it falls. The markets are flooded with Rakhis in myriad colors, designs and shapes complimented with Rakhi special gifts, sweets and other items. Girls start preparations and shopping quite early. They shop for new clothes and buy rakhis, specially the ones that have to be sent to the brothers staying far. For those brothers and sisters who for distances are not able to meet, it is a day for remembering the bygone time. Sisters unable to meet their brothers will send Rakhi by post or through e-mails,e-cards, rakhi greeting cards, and rakhis through internet or mail. Nothing on this day can stop the overflowing emotions.
Though now Rakhi is considered as a brother and sister festival, it was not always so. There have been examples in history where in rakhi has just been a raksha or protection. It could be tied by wife, a daughter or mother. The priests tied rakhi to the people who came seeking their blessings. The sages tied the sacred thread to themselves to safe guard them from the evil. Some people tie rakhi to neighbors and close friends signifying the special bond shared between the two. Rakhi is not only a symbol of fond relationship between brothers and sisters but also a symbol of warmth and compassion shared between the communities as a whole.
Raksha Bandhan assumes all forms of protection, righteousness, friendship, well being and destroyer of all sin. The rakhi tying ritual has become so much a part of the families that come what may brothers and sisters try to reach out to each other on this particular day bringing back the togetherness and emotional bonding of the family. Rakhi Festival not only strengthens the bond of love and affection between brothers and sisters but also brings friends and strangers closer. When a rakhi is tied on the wrists of anyone it acts as a way to connect individuals on a new platform and brings them closer.
How to Celebrate Rakhi Festival? Rakhi festival is one of the most awaited and auspicious occasion for the Hindu community in India and abroad. Celebrated with much fervor and joy this festival comes every year in the month of Shravan (July-August) as per Hindu calendar. The festival of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan heralds the message of brotherhood and fraternity as on this day sister ties a Rakhi thread on the wrist of her brother and he in return vows to protect her from all troubles. Signifying sister's unconditional love and care to her brother, the Rakhi festival holds so much importance in the Hindu family structure. Preparations Prior to Rakhi in IndiaThis festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year. The preparations begin much earlier than the actual day. Colorful rakhis are available in the market some 20 days before the festival. People get into a shopping mood with new clothes. Even the sweet shops start their preparations well in advance to meet the rakhi demand. There are many gift shops offering special rakhi discounts and packages. For those brothers and sisters who for distances are not able to meet, it is a day for remembering the bygone time. Sisters unable to meet their brothers send Rakhi by post or through e-mails, e-cards, rakhi greeting cards, and rakhis through internet or mail. Nothing on this day can stop the overflowing emotions. It is also customary on the part of the brother to buy gifts for his sister. Traditional Way of Celebrating Rakhi Festival in IndiaAs per the tradition the family members get ready for the rituals early. First of all the offerings are made to the family deities. The sisters prepare the thali for the puja. It contains the rakhi threads, kumkum powder, rice grains and an earthen or metal lamp called diya , incense sticks (agarbattis) and sweets. The sister then performs the aarti of the brother with the thali and ties the rakhi. She then puts kumkum powder or Tilak on the forehead of the brother and offers sweets. While performing the ritual, the sister prays for her brother's well being and the brother in turn blesses the sister and promises to protect her from the evils of the world. He gifts something to her as a token of his love and affection. Rakhi Festival Celebrations in Different Parts of IndiaRakhi festival is celebrated in all parts of India, in various forms and names: - Rakhi Purnima: Rakhi Purnima is celebrated mainly in the north and north-west India with a lot of joy and excitement.
- Avani Avittam or Upakarman:This form of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in southern part of India like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh and its and important day for the Brahmin community there. This day is known as Upakarmam. On this day, the Hindus wear a new holy thread. Changing of the thread symbolises of the people getting rid of all sins and making a new beginning.
- Nariyal Purnima:In the Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnatka, Raksha Bandhan is called Nariyal Purnima. Offerings of coconuts (nariyals) is made to the Sea God. This form of Rakhi signifies the starting of a new season and very important for those who are dependent on the sea for their living. .
- Kajari Purnima : In the parts of Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhatisgarh, Rakshabandhan is celebrated in the form of Kajari Purnima. This day is an important occasion for the farmers and women. Rituals begin from Kajari Navami, five days before the full moon day.
- Pavitropana:Rakshabandhan is celebrated in part of Gujarat as Pavitropana. People assemble in the temples of Lord Shiva and perform prayers. Threads of cotton and sometimes kasa grass, laced with products of cow, are tied around the three eyed shiva-linga.
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