Sravani is an ancient Vedic festival traditionally associated with the Brahmins on which day they change their sacred thread. Both Raksha Bandhan and Sravani are celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan (August).
Rakshabandhan or Rakhi which is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Sravan (August) is a day when brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affection. It is usually a festival of the Hindus though today people from different religionsparticipate as well.
Sisters tie colourful threads or rakhis on their brother’s wrists. The brothers in turn promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts. Around mid-August, on Shravan Purnima, Hindus all over celebrate Raksha Bandhan. “Raksha” means protection, “bandhan” means bound or binding. The festival is also known as Balev.Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in different forms in different areas and it is also known by the names like rakhi, rakhri and saluno.
Sisters tie a special band on their brothers’ wrist on the day of Rakhi as a mark of affection. This thread, which pulsates with sisterly love and sublime sentiments, is rightly called the ‘Rakhi’. It is a way of telling your brother that you will never forget how he teased you about everything, yet fought with those who spoke a single word against you and how you bid him farewell with a smile, and only he saw those tear drops in your eyes.
As per the traditions, the sister on this day prepares the pooja thali with diya, roli, chawal and rakhis. She worships the deities, ties Rakhi to the brother(s) and wishes for their well-being. The brother in turn acknowledges the love with a promise to be by the sisters’ side through thick and thin and gives her a token gift. Raksha Bandhan tightens the bond of love between the sister and brother.
The practice of tying thread was prevalent among the Rajputs and our history is full of instances related to the significance of this tradition. At the time of war when the brave Rajput soldiers prepared to go to the battlefield, the women folk followed the ritual of tying a thread around their wrist after applying a dash of vermilion powder on their forehead. This was considered a sign of good omen and the ladies believed that it would protect their men from the enemy’s blow and bring them victory. Today children and women all around the country filling the soldiers with the zest to protect them against the dangers of the enemy tie Rakhi on the wrists of soldiers.
Rakshabandhan if taken in true sense has a much broader perspective; the festival encompasses true sense ofpeace and brotherhood. The values propagated by the occasion if inculcated by all human beings can bring the much-needed relief from the ongoing violence and mistrust.
The rich Indian mythology provides a religious reason to celebrate the day in a specific way. Many epics are related to the day and the origin of Raksha Bandhan. The festival finds a mention in most of the epics and its origin can be traced back to the mythological Pouranik times.
The Shravana or the monsoon month carries all hues and shades of nature and emotions. Religiously speaking Shravan is a pious month and full moon of this all-important month is considered to be a very holy day. It is celebrated in different ways for different reasons almost throughout the country.
For the siblings it is the eternal tie of love, for Brahmins the day to take the pledge of Brahmanik rites and for those who depend on sea and monsoon, it is the beginning of the new season.
Significance of Raksha Bhandan
Though now it 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 Rishis 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. It is by all means the ‘Papa Todak, Punya Pradayak Parva’ or the day that bestows boons and ends all sins as it is mentioned in the scriptures.
Rakhi for many centuries encompassed the warmth shared between the siblings but now it goes way beyond it. Some tie rakhi to neighbors and close friends signifying a peaceful co-existence of every individual. Congregations like Rakhi Utsavs, popularized by Rabindranath Tagore, promote the feeling of unity and a commitment to all members of society to protect each other and encourage a harmonious Social life.
The day has a deeper perspective in today’s scenario. The occasion holds for a life long pledge to practicemoral, spiritual and cultural values. The values and the sentiments attached to the rituals of this festival are worth inculcating by the whole human race, the sentiments of harmony and peaceful coexistence.
Raksha Bandhan assumes all forms of Raksha or protection, of righteousness and destroyer of all sin. The rakhi tying ritual has become so much a part of the families that come what many brothers and sisters try to reach out to each other on this particular day bringing back the oneness of the family, binding the family together in an emotional bond.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on full moon day Poornima of the Hindu month of Shravan.
According to legend, once when Krishnaji had hurt his hand, Draupadi tore a piece of her saree and tied it on the wrist of Krishnaji. Krishnaji said that he will always protect her. Since that time, on the day of Raksha Bandhan, brothers take a vow to protect their sisters. To mark the ceremony, sisters tie Rakhi on the brother’s wrist..
Preparation for the Puja
Rakhis of different types are kept for different relatives
For married brother plain rakhis made of simple silk threads ‘Sadi Rakhi’.
For unmarried young brothers and cousins, another type of rakhis known as “Chakaliya’ are made.
For bhabhis (sisters-in-laws) and girls ‘lumbas’ are ordered.
Coconut to be given to the brothers
Dry coconut / gut for bhabhis
Method of performing the Puja
Sister applies tolak to the brother.
She ties rakhis on the right wrist of the brother.
A coconut is given to the brother and the sister also makes him eat some sweet.
According to his wish, the brother places a gift or cash on the aarti ki thaali.
Then the sister applies tilak to bhabhi.
On the bangles of the left hand the sister ties the Lumba.
The Bhabhi is given gut and some sweets to eat. The Bhabhi gives some Pagalagai to the sister (nanad).
Then the sister applies tilak to the nephews and nieces.
Rakhis-chakaliyas are tied. Sweets and some gifts are given.
Janeu puja is done in the morning for people who wear janeu. If you are unable to do the puja, then after bath just wear a new janeu.
The Maheshwari community celebrates Raksha Bandhan on Rishi Panchami which falls on the 5th day in Shukla Paksh in the month of Bhadon.
Rakshabandhan Video