Shweta Chaudhary :
Raksha Bandhan is one of the most beautiful Hindu celebration of sisterly and brotherly respect and love. It is all about renewing the bonds of loyalty and affection between sisters and brothers. On this special day, sisters tie Rakhi on the right-hand wristof brothers to protect them against evil influences and pray for their long life and happiness.
It is thought that the celebration is originated from the Hindustory of Indra, the king of the lesser gods whose wife Sachi tied the holy thread given by Lord Vishnu around the wrist of her husband to defeat the demon king Bali. As per Hindu mythology, in Mahabharat, this festival was started by Krishna and Draupadi. It is believed that Draupadi tied a piece of her sari and bandaged his finger when he had injured his figure. In return for this deed, Krishna promised to protect her in time of distress.
The festival is made up of two words, namely ‘Raksha’ and “Bandhan”. The word Raksha means ‘Protection’. The brother promises to protect his sister. And the word ‘Bandhan’ means ‘to tie’ or ‘bond’. Together, the festival symbolizes eternal love of brothers-sisters relationship which doesn’tmean just the blood relationships only. That means it is a bond between brother and sister which is priceless, and it is simply uniqueand is beyond description in words.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated by Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism in different the parts of the world. Sikhis celebrate this festival as ‘Rakhardi’ or ‘Rakhari’. In Nepal, the special day is also known as ‘Janai Purnima’. This festival is also celebrated by north Indian people. Raksha Bandhan is an annual festival much looked forward by the people of Nepal. It occurs on the full moon of the month of Shrawanin the Hinducalendar, which typically falls in the August month of Gregeorialcalendar. Brahmins change their sacred thread (Janai) on this day. We Nepalese brothers and sisters celebrate ‘Raksha Bandhan’ with great sentiments and emotions.
In our society, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated by a sister’s wrap a red and gold Rakhi round her brother’s wrist and say a prayer for his well being as she makes a mark on his forehead with red powder. Sisters don’t eat anything until they do not tie Rakhi. Before tying Rakhi on brother’s wrist, we offer it in front of god. She may also give him a gift of sweets. Brothers in return, shower their sisters with gifts, perhaps of sweets, clothing or money and make promises to protect them for all their life.
In Terai region of Nepal, sisters celebrate this festivalheartily and treat brothersas god. Sistersalso worship to their brother on this special day. The sisters whose brothers are far away from them, tie Rakhi on the photographs of brothers and makes calls or video calls to express their love and blessings. Some sisters also make Rakhi themselves. (i.e. Cut out a small circle of card, punch a hole on each side, then draw and decorate it by considering their brother’s interest and hobbies.) In our society, we generally see that brother reaches the home of married sisters or even married sisters also visit their material home tocelebrate this festival of love and bonding. Some sisters also write poems in a card i.e. about what they feel about their brothers. On the other hand, those brothers who livevery far away from their sisters, mainly go to the nearer temple and get tied Rakhi by the priests. Some brothers also send gifts and money for their sisters on this special occasion. Sisters also display Rakhi songs and videos on this day.
Nowadays, not just brothers, even sisters are tied by the thread of love. Those sisters who don’thave brothers and those brothers who don’t have sisters, celebrate this festival by tying Rakhi to the cousin brothers and brothers also gives gifts to their cousin sister. Those days brothers also tie Rakhi to their sisters to show their affection. In this way, Rakhi strengthens the bond of the love between brothers and sisters and revives the emotional bonding. These days, it is also celebratedamong cousins’ sisters, sister-in-law (Bhabi), fraternal aunt (Bua) and nephew (Bhatiji) and other such relations. In our Locality, our mother and grandmothers also tie Rakhi to the assets like locker, daraz, vehicle, main gate and so on. They believe that god will save our life as well as our wealth from fire or from any danger.
We know that, there are more than thirty-five different types of Rakhi, such as sandal wood Rakhi, gold and silver coated Rakhi, Rudraksha Rakhi, Stone Rakhi, Resham Rakhi, Flowery Rakhi, Swastik Rakhi, Cartoon Rakhi, etc. from economic point of view we can see that local women get opportunity to make Rakhi in a huge amount and earn money. So, this beautiful festival also helps in poverty reduction. And thus, it is not only beneficial from religious, sentimental, traditional and emotional view but also from economic point of view.
At last, this festival celebrates the love of a brother for his sister. Sisters tie Rakhi and it signifies her wishes for his prosperity and happiness. Rakhi has turned into holy celebration for sisters and brothers. Yearly celebration of this festivals renews and develops the relation and bonding of sisters and brothers. It brings all brothers and sisters together and gives them a breather from their quarrels and bring happiness to the family. The sisters who loves, respects and thinks for the betterment of their brothers’ life and health should tie Rakhi to their brothers. This is a good celebration for the sisters to get their brothers prosperous life. It develops mutual understanding among them. Within these,Rakhi resides sacred feelings and well wishes. So, this festival of brother and sister should be followed, and it is only possible by our active participation.
At the end, me Shweta Chaudhary suggest all brothers and sisters to respecteach other and celebrate this coming festival heartily because it is also a great sacred verse of unity, acting as a symbol of life’s advancement and a learning messenger of togetherness.
Shweta Chaudhary, University Campus, Rajarshi Janak University, Janakpurdham, BBA 1st Year/ 1st Semester
