Raksha Bandhan – History and Story Behind This Festival
Raksha Bhandhan is an auspicious Indian festival that strengthens the bond between a brother and sister. On the day of Raksha Bhandhan, a sister prays for his brother’s long living and tie a knot of thread on his wrist, in return, a brother give promise to her sister to protect her from every trouble and harm. As according to the Hindu calendar, this festival is celebrated on the day of Shravan Purnima, which occurs on the month of August as per the Georgian calendar.
All the Indians who reside in different parts of the world celebrate this festival with great joy and enthusiasm. Sisters send rakhi via post or through online modes to their loving brothers.
What is the story behind Raksha Bhandhan?
Raksha Bhandhan is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated from ancient times. Some of the stories behind celebration of rakhi festival from history are as follows:
Story of Emperor Humayun and Rani Karnawati
In the medieval era, there was a fight between the Rajputs and Muslims. When the widowed Queen Rani Karnawati, Queen of the Chittor king, realized that they can’t resist the invasion of Bhadur Shah, the Sultaan of Gujarat region than she send a rakhi to Emperor Humayun. To protect her sister, Emperor Humayun, without wasting a single second of time started off for Chittor with his troops.
Story of Draupathi and Lord Krishna
To protect the good people, Lord Krishna kill Shishupal, the evil king. In the fight with Shishupal, Lord Krishna gets injured and blood was bleeding from his wrist. After watching the running blood, Draupati torn a strip from his saaree and tied it tight to stop the bleeding of his wrist. After watching the concern and affection of Draupati, Lord Krishna declared her as her loving sister. That time she gives him the promise to repay the debt whenever she needed in future. After some years, when the pandavas lost queen Draupati in Chousar (a game of dice) and the evil Kauravs are removing the Saree of Draupati, Lord Krishna help her with his majestic powers and enlongate the saree so long that the Kauravas can’t remove it even after their countless efforts.
What items are required to perform Raksha Bhandhan?
The items are as follows:
Item 1: Silver Thali
Item 2: Puja Rice
Item 3:Puja Roli
Item 4:One Nariyal
Item 5:One Small Kalash
Item 6:Raksha Potli
Item 7:Rakhi
Item 8:Rakhi Sweets
What are the steps to do in Raksha Bhandhan?
To celebrate the festival of Raksha Bhandhan, first and foremost thing that people used to do on the day of Raksha Bhandhan is they take a bath early in the morning. They wear new clothes and do preparations for the prayers. After the prayer, sisters used to perform the aarti of their loving brother’s and put chawal and tika on their forehead. Then she ties a knot of Rakhi on the wrist of his brother and chant the mantra’s for the long life of his brother. After the prayer, sister offer sweets to her brother and in return brother give her gifts and the promise to protect her from all troubles and evils in life. After performing traditional rituals, the complete family enjoys the reunion and has fun.
What mantras to be chanted?
The mantra to be chanted is as follows:
रक्षाबन्धन मन्त्रः
येन बद्धो वली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः ।
तेन त्वा प्रतिबध्नामि रक्षे माचल माचल ॥
What to donate on the festival?
On the auspicious day of Raksha Bhandhan, People used to donate food, sweets and gifts to the needy and poor people.
