On Sunday August 10th, Hindus around the world would be celebrating the festival of Raksha Bandhan and millions of colourful Rakhis filled with love would be tied by sisters on their brothers’ wrist.
Throughout the world, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with full zest and happiness because of a unique bond which every brother and sister shares.
Rakhi is a celebration of the bond of love and the bond of family. On this day, sisters tie the sacred interwoven threads around thieir brothers’ wrists symbolizing their love and affection .
It is believed that when a sister ties a Rakhi around the wrist of her brother, (does not have to biological brother) it becomes the duty of her brother to protect her and to honour his religious and brotherly obligations.
Significance of Raksha Bandhan
The spiritual significance comes true when a brother takes a vow of purity with God so that he can live a life of holiness in thoughts, words and actions. The thread tied on his wrist symbolizes that he must protect himself spiritually from the sin that humans commit in bondage of materialism. By doing so, he tries to make the soul reach its original and pure form of peace and silence.
The purification starts with Shiva Ratri when God is believed to incarnate on earth to destroy the evil after a period of five thousand years. The brother defends the honour of his sister with his life and his sister shows repect in the form of worship.
Another significant and important part of the ‘Rakhi–tying’ ceremony is the Aarti ceremony. This is done by chanting sacred mantras.
In ancient times when brothers went to war, sisters tied Rakhi on their wrists for their Raksha to keep safe and and to guard their lives..
The festival involves a pledge of lifetime practice of moral, cultural and spiritual values which are attached to the rituals and customs which should be followed by those who believe in it as these would lead to peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
Sweets are exchanged to add more sweetness to the sweet bond of a sister and brother.
Happy Raksha Bandhan
