History of Rakhi Festival
Hindu scriptures and mythology is the source of all the Hindu rituals and festivals. One can find explanations for all the Hindu traditions and customs in the religious Hindu epics. Therefore the origin of Rakhi celebrations is also rooted in the Hindu mythology.
There is no confirm date and time available about the history of Rakhi festival but the story goes as follows...
In the Vedic period, on a 'Shravan Poornima' day (Full Moon Day of the Hindu month of Shravan), the deities and the demons were fighting a battle against each other. Unfortunately the demons were in a stronger position as compared to the deities. The king of the deities, Lord Indra, was very much worried about the result of the battle. His wife Indrani (also known as Shashikala) could not see him worried and prayed to the almighty. Indrani was a religious lady so she prepared a Talisman with her religious power and tied it around Indra's right wrist. She believed that this Talisman will safeguard Indra from the attack made by the demons. She was actually right about her belief as that day the deities won the battle and Lord Indra escaped unhurt.
As this Talisman had the power of protecting the one who holds it therefore it was called 'Raksha Sutra' and the ceremony of tying the Talisman was called 'Raksha Bandhan'. And since this ceremony took place on 'Shravan Poornima' day therefore it has become a tradition to celebrate 'Raksha Bandhan' on the 'Shravan Poornima' day every year.
Rakhi Customs & Rituals
On the auspicious day of Rakhi all the sisters and brothers get up early in the morning. They wear new clothes on this occasion and get ready for their special festival. Generally there is a 'Shubh-Muhurt' for performing the tying of Rakhi to the brothers. Therefore they get ready accordingly.
Sisters decorate a 'Thali' (A Plate) especially for the occasion of Rakhi. They keep all the necessary items like Roli (for Tilak), Akshat (rice grains for Tilak), Diya or Deepak (for performing the Arti of their brother), Sweets and the Rakhi in that beautifully decorated Thali. First of all the sisters put Tilak on the forehead of their brother and then stick some of the Akshat to the same Tilak. Then they perform the Arti of their brothers. After that they tie the Rakhi, preferably, on the right wrist of their brothers.
Then it is the brother's turn to give some gifts to their sisters. This gift can be either in cash or in kind. Sometimes the sisters also give return gifts to their brothers.
Thus on the festive occasion of Rakhi the brothers and sisters wish happy long life, success, prosperity and health to each other. In last all of them seek the blessings of their parents and other elderly people in their family. After that they go to visit their relatives and to exchange the greetings with them.
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