Essay on Raksha Bandhan

A celebration of the pure bond between siblings, Raksha Bandhan, is an auspicious Indian festival that is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu lunar calendar. A day observed as the day of siblings; this festival is usually celebrated with brothers and sisters coming together and expressing their love for each other, praying for their beautiful bonds, and exchanging gifts. While sisters tie a knot of rakhi on the wrist of the brother and pray for their well-being, brothers promise them protection throughout their life. The perfect festival to spread their message of love and care, this occasion is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. While we all indulge in the festivities of Raksha Bandhan, most of us are unaware of the fact why Rakhi is celebrated in India and what is its significance. In this essay on Raksha Bandhan, we will discuss the importance of the festival and the reason why it is being celebrated in India for ages. Read on to find out everything about this auspicious festival.

Significance Of Raksha Bandhan

Known to be the day of love and protection, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated between siblings to bestow love and affection for each other and to make their bond even stronger. However, if we dive into our history and mythological legends, we dig that Rakhi is not only a symbol of love and protection among just brothers and sisters, but as per the legend Indra and Indrani, Indra’s consort also tied a sacred thread on his wrist to protect him from the demons. Hence, it is signified that Rakhi was also tied in the past to protect our loved ones from evil. In Indian history, Rakhi has also been used in the past to bring together the Hindus and the Muslims during the Bengal partition that took place during the struggle for Independence in India. Rabindranath Tagore used rakhi to bring harmony and brotherhood between the two religions to cease the decision of parting Bengal by the British.

Raksha Bandhan Legends

While the festival of Raksha Bandhan is mainly celebrated for protection, there are many stories and legends in Hindu Mythology as well as in history where rakhi has also been tied by gods to protect their loved ones for their protection; some of the incidents are listed below.

Krishna and Draupadi: This legend goes back to the time of Mahabharata when Lord Krishna had hurt her finger when he had sent his Sudarshan Chakra from his finger to behead Shishupala. It is believed that Draupadi then bandages his finger with a piece of cloth from her saree. Lord Krishna, who was utterly moved by her care, promised to protect her from all evil and odds.

Indra and Indrani: According to this legend, rakhi is believed to be the sacred thread of protection. It is not necessarily tied by a sister on a brother’s wrist but also to the ones who we love. The story of Indra and Indrani goes hereby that when a battle of gods and demons took place, Indrani, the wife of Indra, tied a sacred thread in the wrist of her husband for protection against the demons.

King Bali and Goddess Laxmi: In Indian mythology, it so happened that Goddess Laxmi once disguised herself as a Brahmin woman and tied a rakhi to King Bali on the day of Shravan Purnima. Hereafter she revealed herself and asked the king to free his husband Lord Vishnu and let them return to Vaikunth.

Yama and Yamuna: It is believed that Yama tied a sacred thread on the wrist of his brother the Yamuna to protect him from the curse of deas and mutilation from his stepmother, Chhaya. It is believed that soon after the thread was tied on his wrist, his curse was lifted all because of the love of his sister.

Santoshi Maa and Lord Ganesha: Considered to be the actual reason behind the celebration of Raksha Bandhan, Lord Ganesha had two sons who asked him to bring a sister who would tie rakhi to them. Ganesha then created Santoshi Maa, who tied rakhi to his sons.

When is Raksha Bandhan Celebrated?

As mentioned earlier, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Shravan (August) according to the Hindu calendar, and therefore the festival is also known as Rakhi Purnima. This festival is celebrated with different names in different parts of India, such as the people of the south celebrate Rakhi Purnima as Avani Avattam, and in some regions of North India, it is marked as Kajari Purnima.

Avani Avattam: Observed by the Brahmin community, on this day, people exchange thread called ‘janeu’ and pray to their ancestors for the forgiveness of their sins and also give them offerings as a practice to thank them.

Kajri Purnima: Celebrated in the North and Central part of India, on this day, farmers and mothers worship goddess Bhagwati for good crops and well being of their son.

Pavitropana: On this day, the devotees of Shiva make a thread from the mixture of panchagavya and place it on the Shivalinga.

Nariyal Purnima: In the coastal regions of West India, fishermen celebrate this festival by offering nariyal or coconut to the sea God, Varuna, and pray for good sea trade.

In the coastal regions of West India, fishermen celebrate this festival by offering nariyal or coconut to the Sea god, Varuna, and pray for their good sea trade.

How is Raksha Bandhan Celebrated?

The preparations of Raksha Bandhan in India start a few days before the festival when sisters go out shopping for rakhis and rituals like roli chawal, pooja thali, and coconut, etc., for their brothers while brothers are ransacking the stores for the perfect gift for their lovely sisters. In Indian families, on the day of Raksha Bandhan, everyone wakes up early and takes a bath. After pooja and aarti, sisters apply a teeka of roli and chawal on the forehead of their brothers, tie the rakhi and give them sweets to eat. Brothers then give gifts to their sisters, and they both have a meal together. For siblings who stay away from each other, sisters arrange for online rakhi delivery in India as well as abroad and also send gifts for their brothers. You can celebrate Raksha Bandhan the way you like and enjoy a wonderful time with your family, for this is what the festival is known for.

Well, we hope that this Raksha Bandhan essay gives you all the information you needed on this significant festival in the Indian culture, and we hope you gained a lot of other useful information on this festival.