How did Raksha Bandhan start?

Raksha Bandhan is a traditional Hindu festival, and today, this auspicious occasion is celebrated by everyone. But have you ever wondered how did the festival of Raksha Bandhan start? Well, this blog is here to answer all your questions regarding the celebration of love and protection.

The auspicious Raksha Bandhan is ordinarily celebrated on the Shravan Purnima or the full moon day in the month of Shravan (August as per the English date book). The effect of the celebration is such that it got the consideration of the writing Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore as he advanced the occasion of Rakhi by leading Rakhi Mahotsava, the image of peace and amicability. He called upon everyone to spread the message of fraternity all over through this celebration. The significance and centrality of the Rakhi celebration can be comprehended by the way it is praised in the diverse districts of India and is mainstream by various names.

Thanks to the tradition and customs of India, it does have a festival for almost every relationship that a person shares in the family. The celebration of togetherness, the celebration of being one family, is also celebrated in India. It is basically the north Indian festival that is now celebrated all over the world to express emotions, love, and affection. So, without further ado, let’s see the significance and the history of Raksha Bandhan.

Meaning and significance of Raksha Bandhan

In India, relationships have the essence of any celebration that holds a special place in India. Raksha Bandhan is the festival that celebrates the love and affection between the siblings and wishes for the happiness and goodwill of each other. The word 'Raksha Bandhan' means 'a bond of protection'. On this day brothers make promises to take care of their sister all through life. Brothers pray to god to protect their sisters from all evil.

Rakhi Utsav was popularized by Rabindranath Tagore to promote the feeling of unity and commitment for all the members of the society to protect each other from evil and encourage harmony in the family.

Raksha Bandhan history

So, coming back to the question of how did the Rakhi festival start? The historical backdrop of Raksha Bandhan can be traced back to ancient and medieval times. There are many stories that back the celebration of the Raksha Bandhan festival, and a few of the famous ones are the stories of Krishan-Draupadi and Rani Karnawati. During the time of Mahabharata, Krishna once hurt her little finger, and then Draupadi, without a second thought, tied a thread to stop the bleeding. Krishna then vowed to protect her in all walks of life, and during the heinous act of Cheerharan, he saved her with his divine powers. Amid those times, the delicate string of Rakhi exemplified otherworldly holding between the kin. During medieval times, as indicated by a legend, Rani Karnawati (widowed ruler of Chittor) protected her district by sending a Rakhi to Emperor Humayun and asking to defend her district from the invaders. Humayun was moved by the gesture. The historical backdrop of India is loaded with such occasions where Rakhi spared the day for some as it started bonds or made the bonds more grounded than some time recently.

Rakhi celebration

Rakhi is celebrated to strengthen the relationship and the bond of love between the brother and sister that fosters siblinghood. This festival is not a ritual that can change over time, but it can only change by the style and by the contemporary time. One month before the commencement of the festival, many fancy and colorful Rakhis, even precious metals such as silver and gold rakhi, flood the market. Sisters shop for fancy Rakhis, cards, and gifts for their brothers. They shop for new clothes and beautiful gifts, especially for the ones whose brothers are staying far away. Similarly, a brother must choose a rakhi gift for sister that is thoughtful as well. Raksha Bandhan celebrations are filled with love, fun, and laughter; across the globe, siblings are engrossed in the symphony of affection.

Rituals

According to the Indian tradition, the family members get ready early in the morning to perform the rituals. The festival is majorly celebrated among the siblings, wherein the sisters tie Rakhi on their brother's wrist, and both worship God for the well-being of each other. 'Aarti' and 'tilak' are done by the sisters, which enhances the essence of the festival, apart from tying the Rakhi. In return, the brothers make the promise to take care of the sister under all types of circumstances and also give gifts to make their dearest sisters feel on cloud nine. This convention of tying the thread and exchanging promises and gifts has streamed through centuries of traditions and customs.

Final Thoughts

Raksha Bandhan is one of the most anticipated occasions in India, and sisters look forward to celebrating this joyous festival with their dearest siblings. And as you have seen that this occasion has roots in the ancient era, which is why Raksha Bandhan is one of the most remarkable and widely celebrated festivals.