Prof ( Dr) R D Gupta
Raksha Bandhan also known as Rakhi, is one of the most important festivals of India, especially of north and western regions of the country. Infact, Rakhi is considered to be the festival of sisters and brothers. It is because on this day, Rakhi ( a piece of silky woven thread or simple thread ) is tied around the wrist of the brother by the sister. Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan, infact, assumes all kinds of protection (Raksha) of righteousness and destroyer of all sins. The custom of tying the Rakhi has now become a part and parcel of the families particularly those of Hindus. This results in bringing back oneness of the family together in an emotional bond.
In Dogri dialect, Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is called Rakhri. In Dogri, there is a proverb that Aai Rakhri Teohar Laeii Batri ( It means that with the arrival of Raksha Bandhan, thirty two other festivals come off). Raksha Bandhan festival mostly falls on Sawan or Shravan Purnima (Bikrami Era ) which coincides with the month of August according to Christan Era . Shravan Purnima is also called Rakhi Purnima or Kajri Purnima. In Dogri this is known as Rakhar Punia.
Legends : The origin of Raksha Bandhan owes to a number of legends . Some of them very important are narrated hereunder.
An Incident Relating to God Indra and Goddess Sachi: The God Indra, king of deities after losing his kingdom to the Demon Vritra, went to Guru Brahaspati for advice to get his kingdom back. Guru Brahaspati exorted him to get tied a thread around his wrist from his wife Sachi. Sachi then tied a thread around her husband’s wrist ensuring his victory in the upcoming war between Vritra and Indra. God Indra then succeeded in his aim. It is believed that this happening occurred on Shravan Purnima and since then Raksha Bandhan is held.
Draupadi and Lord Krishna : During the fight between lord Krishna and Shishu Pal, the former had left with a bleeding finger after the demise of the latter. To stop the flow of the blood of Lord Krishna’s finger, Draupadi wife of Pandavas after tearing a strip of her Sari tied around Lord Krishna’s wrist. In lieu of that Lord Krishna promised to protect her and to repay the debt manifold and spent the next 25 years of his life rendering just that.
Lord Vishnu and Demon Bali : According to this legend, Lord Vishnu with the extreme devotion of his devotee the demon king Bali, promised him to serve as guard of Bali’s . As such Lord Vishnu left his Vaikunth i.e; paradise and began to live in Bali’s kingdom. The Goddess Lakshmi wanted Lord Vishnu back in Vaikunth. She after disguising as Brahmin went to the king Bali and sought shelter by telling that her husband had gone away on long journey. She, thus, used to remain in the kingdom of Bali. On Shravan Purnima she tied a thread on the wrist of king Bali wishing for his well being.
In return, he granted a boon vide which Goddess asked from him to send her husband back to Vaikunth. Infact, the Goddess Lakshmi showed herself her power to the king. The king frightened and orderd his sepoies to leave Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi to their abode- Vaikunth. Bali desired to protect his life at all cost. Lord Vishnu, however , showed his inability to do so. However to resolve this, it was decided that Lords Vishnu, Brahama and Shiva will guard Bali for 4 months each.
Alexanders’s wife and Porus : One of the earliest example of Raksha Bandhan took place during 326 BC, when a battle was fought between Alexander the great and the king Porus. It is believed that fearing for the life of her husband, Alexander’s wife approached Porus and tied a rakhi around his wrist. And in return for that she got blessings from Porus that he will never kill Alexander.
Celebration : Although rakhi is celebrated in various parts of India differently yet its significance remains the same. As for instance, in western India it is called Nariyal Purnima and as a ritual coconuts are thrown into the sea. In south India, this festival is called Avani Avittam. On this day Brahmins after taking holy bath change their holy thread ( Janeyu ) amid chanting of hymns. In East India rakhi tying ceremony is celebrated to maintain universal brotherhood, which was started by Sh Rabindar Nath Tagore in Shanti Niketan in 1905 at the time of Bengal partition.
In Jammu and Kashmir, rakhi festival is held every year with great enthusiasm. About a month earlier, colourful rakhis become available in the market. Now a days, the style and design of the rakhi have totally changed. Rakhi is no longer a simple thread but a number of its kinds viz; carton rakhi for kids, sandal wood rakhi made of zari thread, musical rakhi made of various decorative materials, gold/silver and diamond rakhi etc; are now available.
Some people buy new clothes. The sweet shops start their preparation well in advance to fulfill demands of the people on rakhi day. Many shopkeepers offer discounts on ready made garments and other clothes. Sisters whose brothers are at a far of distance, they send their rakhis through mail along with gifts. Rakhi greetings cards and rakhis can be sent through internet also. As per the traditions the family members first of all make offerings to the deities.
The sisters prepare thalis for worshipping having rakhis or threads, rice grains mixed with saffron threads, earthen or metal lamp, incense sticks ( agarbattis ) and sweets . The sisters then perform the aarti of the brothers with thalis and put a mixture of saffron and rice grains / threads of marigold flowers on their foreheads as tilaks. Thereafter, they tie the rakhis on wrists of brothers while performing the rites, the sisters pray to the Almighty for their brothers protection and welfare. Brothers in turn bless their sisters with promise to protect them from evils of the world. They give gifts to them also as token of love.
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