Raksha Bandhan 2024
Festivals impact everyone’s life, primarily because they offer opportunities for social gatherings with friends, family, and relatives. Raksha Bandhan is one of the many festivals that Hindus celebrate throughout the year. It is especially significant for brothers and sisters. This celebration honors the relationship between a brother and sister.
The festival of Raksha Bandhan consists of lots of sweets, Rakhi (a rope symbolizing friendship), and exchanging gifts. The aim of Raksha Bandhan is to celebrate love and harmony. Another name for this festival is Rakhi Purnima, it is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Sawan in the lunar calendar. However, this year, the festival will be celebrated on August 19, 2024.
Brothers vow to protect their sisters from all harm on this auspicious day. Even brothers as well as cousins who swear on their life to take care of their sisters can say it loudly. After serving the brothers, the sisters rewarded them with Rakhi wrapped around their wrists as a symbol of mutual devotion. To preserve unity and love, the brothers and sisters started eating together at this festival.
Rabindranath Tagore used the festival of Rakhi during the British Raj to prevent the partition of Bengal and promote friendship and unity. The festival is celebrated by Hindus and people from other Indian communities. People celebrate this holiday with great devotion and respect in Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, and other places. This festival has several names, depending on the area. In certain parts of South India, it is also known as Kajari Purnima or Avani Avatar.
Raksha Bandhan Shubh Muhurat: What is it? :
It is generally recommended to carry out the Rakhi rites during the auspicious hours of the day. Aparahna is considered the ideal time to observe all the customs of this festival. Since Bhadra’s period is regarded as maleficent and unsuitable for any kind of auspicious work, it should be strictly avoided.
Before starting any significant ceremony, one should always verify the Shubh Muhurat and Choghadiya of the day. Purnima Tithi begins at 03:04 AM on August 19, 2024. Purnima Tithi concluded at 11:55 p.m. on August 19, 2024. The Rakhi tying Shubh Muhurat is from 01:30 PM to 09:08 PM.
Raksha Bandhan is significant to India’s diverse religious communities. Hinduism: The festival is mostly observed by Hindus in Nepal, Pakistan, and Mauritius, as well as in the northern and western regions of India.
Jainism: The Jain community also honors this day, on which priests distribute ceremonial threads to followers.
Sikhism: The Sikhs celebrate this festival, known as “Rakhardi” or Rakhari, in honor of the love between a brother and sister.
The Raksha Bandhan Festival’s beginnings :
It is well known that Raksha Bandhan began centuries ago, and there are numerous stories surrounding the celebration of this special day. The following is a brief explanation of Hindu mythology.
1. Indra and Sachi:
The Bhavishya Purana tells an ancient story of a bloody war between gods and demons. Indra, the chief god of the sky, rain and thunder, faced stiff opposition from Bali, the demon king, and war was on the side of the gods.
The war went on for some time without a clear conclusion. Sachi, the wife of Indra, saw this and went to Lord Vishnu and gave him a girdle of celestial cotton thread. Sachi tied a sacred thread around her husband’s waist and finally killed the demon and reclaimed Amaravati.
According to the previous story of the celebration, these holy strands were amulets that ladies fastened to their husbands before departing for battle and used for prayer. These holy connections were not restricted to bonds between brothers and sisters, unlike now.
2. King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi:
According to the stories found in the Bhagavata and Vishnu Puranas, after Lord Vishnu defeated the demon King Bali and took control of the three worlds, the demon king sought to be allowed to reside next to him in the palace. After agreeing to the request, the Lord moved in with the demon king. But Lord Vishnu’s wife, Goddess Lakshmi, desired to go back to Vaikuntha, his birthplace. Thus, she made Bali, the demon king, a brother by wrapping the rakhi around his wrist.
Goddess Lakshmi urged Bali to release her husband from the promise and allow him to return to Vaikuntha when she asked about the return gift. When Bali granted the request, Lord Vishnu and his wife, the Goddess Lakshmi, went back to their home.
3. Santoshi Maa:
It is stated that Shubh and Labh, the two sons of Lord Ganesha, became upset that they wanted a sister. With the help of Saint Narada, their father eventually gave in to their sister’s request for a sibling. This is how the divine flames of Lord Ganesha formed Santoshi Maa. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the two sons of Lord Ganesha welcomed their sister.
4. Krishna and Draupadi:
According to the Mahabharata, Krishna’s wounds were healed when queen Draupadi tied a piece of yellow fabric, torn from her own dress, to his wrist. Despite her five strong husbands, Krishna was so overcome by her acts that he declared himself to be her brother and took it upon himself to always protect her.
5. Yama and the Yamuna:
After twelve years, the god of death, Yama, paid a visit to his sister, the goddess Yamuna. She was overjoyed and made his brother an exquisite meal that included all of his favorite foods. She greeted him with a tilak and tied a thread around his hand when he came to see her. This act touched Yama, and then he asked about Yamuna’s desired gift. On which she requested that he pay her regular visits. Then Yama granted her immortality and promised to protect her from harm.
Read about Raksha Bandhan 2025
What is the right time to remove the Rakhi?
Rakhi can be taken off after eight days of Raksha Bandhan, which falls on the day of Krishna Janmashtami, according to Hindu tradition. Rakhi is taken off on the fifteenth day of Rakhsha Bandhan during the Polar celebration, according to Maharashtrian culture.
Rakhi has been removed from the Toran, and people worship the god Marbot Dev on this day. Brothers are free to wear Rakhi for as long as they wish, though. If a Rakhi is broken or damaged, the only thing to remember is to dispose of it safely. Throwing Rakhi anywhere is not appropriate. Since Rakhi is a sacred thread, it should be disposed of in a lake, pond, or sacred river. Rakhi should be buried if there are no rivers or ponds nearby.
In addition to being a significant holiday, Raksha Bandhan is also a pleasant festival in which people take part wholeheartedly. While some siblings purchase gifts for one another out of affection, others use it as a chance to mend fences caused by misunderstanding and different points of view. Nevertheless, on Raksha Bandhan, sisters always search for the most exquisite presents to give their brothers, along with a stunning pearl, stone, or rakhi bracelet.
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