RAKSHA BANDHAN

When the sisters affirms her love for her brother, and he in turn promises to protect and cherish her for ever. Raksha Bandhan falls in the months of Shravan on it's Full moon Day, in the month of July and August.Raksha means protection and Bandhan a bond or tie. This is an emotional and sentimental festival where the sister ties a silken thread on her brother's right wrist. This thread serves as an amulet guarding the bearer from all evils.

Early morning on Raksha Bandhan, the sister prepares a thali containing rice, the Rakhi,the Coconut and mithai(sweet).She performs arti and applies Teeka(Bindi) with rice on her brother's forehead and offers him mithai(sweet).In a symbolic gesture the brother gives a gift or cash pledging eternal protection. Days prior to this, shops are filled with colorfull Rakhis in silk,Zari or cotton threads with sequinned or embroidered motifs. Brothers staying far away, receive their Rakhis by post from their sisters.

It is an honour to recive a Rakhi and it is the Respensibility of the receiver to protect. An example, which crossed all Barriers of religion, was when the widowed queen of Chittor sent a Rakhi to Mughal Emperor Humayun, seeking protection for her self and her kingdom. Emperor Humayun immediately sent his Armed Forces for the queen's protection, Respecting the bond of the Rakhi. Brahmins change their Sacred thread on this day. The day is also called Coconut day are Narial(coconut) poornima.