Image by Shantanu Kashyap from Pixabay

Thursday, 15 August, Raksha Bandhan 2019

The relationship between a brother and sister is celebrated in India and other parts on the Indian subcontinent with the festival of “Raksha Bandhan”. The bond between a brother and sister is a unique one and celebrated in almost all parts of the world. Though in India there is special emphasis on this relationship, which is celebrated with a special day marking the eternal love of the brother-sister bond.

Celebrated in the month of Shravan, which is usually in the month of August, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu calendar. It symbolizes the love between a brother and a sister and as the name suggests it is made up of two words “Raksha” and “Bandhan” which translates into the “knot of protection”.

“Raksha” means protection and “Bandhan” refers to the “bond” or “knot”. On this day, the sister would tie a “Rakhi” on their brother’s wrist, praying for his prosperity and well-being. This frail of thread of Rakhi is considered as stronger than iron chains as it binds the most beautiful relationship in an inseparable bond of love and trust with the brother vowing to protect the sister in all circumstances in life.

Sweets make an integral part of the celebration during the ceremony and the brother brings the sister a gift on this occasion.
The brother-sister relationship is a reminder of the duty that the siblings hold towards each other and the love that they share. The festival is not restricted to blood relations only and is also celebrated between men and women who might not be biologically related. So the festival is also celebrated among cousins, sister and sister-in-law (Bhabhi), fraternal aunt (Bua) and nephew (Bhatija) and other such relations.

This year, the festival of Raksha Bandhan would be celebrated on the 15th of August across India with much colour and warmth.