Yes, yet another Indian festival! Another much-awaited one: awaited by the females in the anticipation of gifts and cash , and thus by the salesmen and shopkeepers to give the prices a boost … and feared by the males- for all they know, the ladies they like may just tie a Rakhi around their wrist and make them their brothers !
quote: The Rakshabandhan (Rakhi) Festival (July-August) The brotherly duties and sisterly love are symbolized during the Rakshabandhan (ruk-shaa-bum-dha-na) festival in India. Women, old and young alike tie specially made threads and thread watches (rakhis) to their brothers to ensure their welfare, and protection from the evil. The festival has evolved in the recent times and the symbolism has been changed to connote 'brotherly love'. The all male volunteers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (the RSS), engage in a large celebration, tying the rakhis to each other, symbolizing universal brotherhood. It is used by many girls to keep unwanted romantic advancements by boys also.
quote:Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) is called Avani Avittam in South India. This falls on the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August-September). It is an important Hindu festival. Hindus wear a new holy thread and offer libations of water to the ancient Rishis on this day.
Recitation of the Vedas on this great day is highly beneficial. Raksha Bandhan festival is also known as Upakarmam, and is specially sacred to the Brahmins who have been invested with the sacred thread. When the Brahmin boy is invested with this holy thread, Symbolically his third eye or the eye of wisdom is opened. This festival of Raksha Bandhan reminds the wearer of the sacred thread of its glorious spiritual significance. Brahmins also offer libations with water to their ancestors to whom they owe their birth and to the Rishis to whom they are indebted for their spiritual knowledge and the Vedas themselves. The true Hindu never forgets his benefactors!
The followers of the four different Vedas have their Upakarmam on different days. On this day, Sachi the consort of Indra, tied a holy thread or amulet around the wrist of Indra when he was defeated by the demons. Then Indra, the king of gods, gained a victory over the demons, by the Power of this protection (Raksha means "protection ") and recovered the lost city of Amaravati.
In North India, on this day, an amlet known as a Rakshi or Rakhi is tied round the wrist of brothers by the sisters as a protection from evil during the ensuing year. Brahmins and Purohits similarly tie amulets round the wrists of their patrons and receive gifts. A Mantra is recited when the Rakhi or the silken thread is tied. The silken thread is charged with the power of the Mantra which is as follows:
Yena baddho balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah; Tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshey maa cchala maa chala.
The power of this Mantra protects the wearer from evil influences. The following information is taken from the book, Hindu Fasts & Festivals by H.H. Sri Swami Sivananda, published by the Divine Life Society
I would say that today Rakhis are of such varied forms and colors- some are traditional (bearing a "Swastika" for example, below I show a Rakhi on which a Swastika mark is made- below, on the red Rakhi what seems like 2-intersecting-"S" is the Swastika) while some are fun ones, I saw some Rakhis having the shape of a sharpner, a joker, or like a car. Trying my hand at a few pics., of Rakhi... -------
[This message was edited on 08-12-03 at 01:06 AM., at 01:09 AM., at 01:14 AM., at 01:26 AM., at 01:32 AM.(I- Letswriteandshare- combined the five edit-messages.)]
[This message was edited on 08-12-03 at 01:35 AM.]
[This message was edited on 08-12-03 at 09:47 AM.]
[This message was edited on 08-12-03 at 09:48 AM.]
Posts: 4372 | Location: Back At Quoteland :) | Registered: 08-18-02
Shrava purnima’s second festival is Raksha Bandhan. This is an ancient tradition. Bhavishya Purana refers to a battle between gods and demons, and Indra (the king of the gods) was feeling depressed. At that time Indra’s wife Sachi took a thread, charged it with sacred verses or Mantras for protection and tied it on Indra’s hand. Through the strength of this thread Indra conquered his enemies. Since then till today this festival is celebrated.
Through the passage of time festivals are undergoing modifications. Raksha Bandhan is also known as Rakhi. Rakhi has become a sacred festival for sisters and brothers. Sisters tie them to brothers. Priests tie them to people of his congregation. During the middle ages, if a woman tied a Rakhi on the hand of any man, then it became imperative for him, as his religious duty of the highest order, to protect that woman. That man would put his life at stake to protect the honour of that woman.
In those days, many Rajputs sacrificed their lives to protect their spiritual sisters. Humayun received a Rakhi from the queen Karmavati of Chittor and for that, Humayun carried out his sacred brotherly duty and protected her by opposing his own soldiers.
According to ancient traditions, it is customary to have protection threads that are charged with sacred verses (Mantras) and sanctified with rice, durva grass etc.; to have these tied by people who know the Vedas or by near and dear ones. This protection thread saves from sins on the one hand and removes diseases on the other hand. By tying this thread, protection is afforded for a full one year and all kinds of fears are removed.
Nowadays Rakhis are decorated with soft silky threads of various colours, and also with ornaments, pictures, gold and silver threads etc. These Rakhis enhance the artistry of the people. Within these Rakhis reside sacred feelings and well wishes. It is also a great sacred verse of unity. Acting as a symbol of life's advancement and a leading messenger of togetherness.
Each person should celebrate with enthusiasm this sacred festival of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan. (Raksha = protection. Bandhan = tie).
There is something beyond sweets and gifts as far as Raksha Bandhan, to me, is concerned. Those memories which it leaves, they help you live by on your own. Its miraculous how it feels to have a sister, I don't have one, but my cousin, she's a gem of a person Yes she is. I know wherever in the world I go, she's always going to be there, praying for me..
I should also feel that this belongs more to the QL cultural exchange page. Actually, I was going to start this one in there, but someone already started it here ay *~* direct dil se *~*
Posts: 3196 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 06-26-03
Indeed Raksha Bandhan is a great wonderful festival celebrated in India and even now worldwide. You can also get more information about Raksha Bandhan here
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Posts: 2 | Location: New Delhi, Delhi, India | Registered: 06-05-08
In the modern times, the rakhi festival is celebrated with much gaiety and joy. The occasion displays both modern outlook and a traditional appeal. Around twenty days to a month before the occasion, stalls and stores all around the country are lit up brightly and are stocked with colourful and pretty looking rakhis of various varieties that appeal to people of all ages. People are in an exuberant mood and go shopping to buy for new clothes and other favorite items.
Children look especially excited as they look forward to buying rakhis that are especially designed for them. With comic strip characters and cartoon motifs such as spiderman, batman, krish, pokemon, and others, these rakhis are a delight to see. Not only Rakhi Gifts but there are so many sisters from abroad send to celebrate this festival with great joy.
Grown ups get to choose from a wide variety of splendid and gorgeous looking rakhis such as colourful thread rakhis, zari rakhis, zardosi rakhis, bhaiya bhabhi rakhis, silver, gold, and pearl rakhis, floral rakhis, fancy rakhis, bead rakhis, and many others.
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Really Raksha Bandhan is the auspicious festival, being celebrated by indians, despite of their geographical locations.If Either the brother or sister is far from the other, then sister send rakhi to India[/url] send rakhi to india and brother send rakhi gifts hamper for her to remark the festival.
Edit: to remove promotinal links.
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, and thus by the salesmen and shopkeepers to give the prices a boost 
… and feared by the males- for all they know, the ladies they like may just tie a Rakhi around their wrist and make them their brothers 
!
