Raksha Bandhan, commonly known as the Rakhi festival, is one of the major festivals celebrated in North India with extreme joy and dedication. People invite their siblings for a gettogether, and if some of them are living out, then they send Rakhi to bhaiya bhabhi in USA or anywhere around the globe. But anyhow, they celebrate it and stay true to their traditions and culture.
Rakhi is highly significant in Hindu culture; it is a protection bond that siblings share between them. Sister ties a thread known as Rakhi on her brother’s wrist after performing Arti on her brother. Also, she either gives sweets or gifts to her brother and this day, without fighting, they feel blessed having each other’s back.
But do you know when the Raksha Bandhan celebration started?
What is the significance of this festival?
Have you ever thought about why our elders’ focus on this festival a lot?
It is just a thread that you tie on your brother’s wrist, but it is of utter importance for the elders’ who understand the meaning behind it. In Hinduism, we have different histories narrating the significance of Raksha Bandhan. For every region, in different ways, it is shown how a simple thread can be so pure, religious and protect your brother from any evil. Not just it is for brothers, but as sisters tie the rakhi, brothers take the oath of protecting them from anyone, to save their soul and to be the most assertive person beside them.
Significance of Raksha Bandhan
As we move forward, first, let us understand the significance of Raksha Bandhan in Hinduism. According to Hindu Calendar, if you all are aware, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in Sawan month on a full moon day. In Saavan, every month, you would see devotees praying to Lord Shiva, and it is considered that Lord Shiva takes the pain of their devotees, blessing them with a good life. This is an auspicious month according to the Hindu calendar and Hinduism. This year, you would notice Raksha Bandhan on Sunday, 22nd August 2021.
Raksha Bandhan is of so much importance that low-cost envelopes, special trains are run, and no matter what, a brother or sister tries hard to reach the home to tie a ‘sacred thread’ to the brother. Rakhi is celebrated in a mere an hour, but the arrangements are done weeks before. From designer rakhi to coconut, everything is arranged systematically.
On this day, everyone wakes up early in the morning and decorates the thali with Kumkum, Chawal, Rakhi, Diya, Sweets and Handkerchief. Within the Muhurat that is mentioned in the Calendar or in local newspapers, they perform the ceremony. It is considered auspicious to tie the ‘sacred thread’ in that Muhurat given. This festival helps siblings to understand the needs of being together, respecting each other and protecting each other.
So, with this, we hope now you know the significance of Rakhi and how much it is important in Hindu culture. Still, you might not be aware of the different stories of Raksha Bandhan that are of enormous importance, and everyone should know about them.
Stories Behind Raksha Bandhan Celebration
Let’s move forward with some interesting facts or stories that take place whenever asked about Raksha Bandhan history. And no, they are not just stories made up but the facts that reside in our history, the moments that happened in the past, which is why Raksha Bandhan is today celebrated with complete joy and enthusiasm.
Let’s have a look at it…
Emperor Humayun and Rani Karnawati
The age-old story of widowed Rajputana Rani Karnavati and Mughal Emperor Humayun is cited at different times in other places. This story shows how even a thread can do wonders. When Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah was about to invade Chittor, which Rani Karnawati then handled after losing her husband as Rajputs were saving their territories and fighting with Mughals, Rani Karnawati sends an envelope having a Rakhi that overwhelmed the Mughal Emperor Humanyun. He started towards Chittoor to save Rani Karnavati. This is one such piece of evidence in the history of Rakhi.
Draupadi and Lord Krishna
Another infamous story of Mahabharat times when Lord Krishna killed devil king Shishupal for the protection of Dharma. Because of war, he was hurt, and his finger was bleeding when Draupadi could not stop herself and tore a piece of her saree and tied it around it, which left Lord Krishna speechless and this share of affection and love he promised to return back. It was like debt on him. As we all know, Draupadi was married to Pandavas. One day Pandavas lost Draupadi in a game when cracked Kauravas started removing her saree in between the hall filled with men. Lord Krishna then protected his sister’s dignity with his divine powers, and that is the one such lesson in history with evidence.
King Puru and Alexander The Great
Let’s go back to 300 B.C. when Alexander of Macedonia was pushed away by the fury of King Puru. He invaded India but wasn’t able to face King Puru. On seeing her husband’s plight, Alexander’s wife approached King with a Rakhi as she was very well aware of this festival. King Puru accepted her as rakhi sister and left Alexander’s life by refraining from a war against him. Isn’t it a fantastic concept or a piece of evidence that we all look for?
Goddess Laxmi and King Bali
Do you know why sisters are called on Shravana Purnima to tie the sacred thread? Well, this story will give you goosebumps, and you will understand the concept behind it. As we all know, King Bali was a demon king, but he was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu as well. Because of his pure devotion, Lord Vishnu promised to protect King Bali’s kingdom that made him leave Vaikuntam, his own place. And this instance made Goddess Laxmi, wife of Lord Vishnu, very sad. So, she personified herself as a Brahmin woman and went to King Bali’s kingdom, where she tied the Rakhi to King Bali on the full moon day of Shravan month. Then she came in her natural form of Goddess Laxmi, which made King Bali realise how much Lord Vishnu cared for his family and his promise. He then requested Lord Vishnu to move back to Vaikuntam with Goddess Laxmi. From that day onwards, it has turned into a ritual to call sisters at home on Shravan Purnima and get rakhi tied on brother’s wrist.
Well, you might find many such incidents where it is shown that Rakhi is of utter importance, and for that, many kings and other great people have done whatever in their capacity. Raksha Bandhan, as said, is Raksha Ka Bandhan, where the brother protects his sister as much as possible. So, as we come to an end, we hope that now you won’t be having any further questions regarding Raksha Bandhan history and significance because this evidence is enough to prove how Raksha Bandhan is such an essential occasion in Hindu Culture. We hope our piece of writing enlightens you and brushes up on your history knowledge regarding Hindu culture. Celebrate this festival with complete joy and enthusiasm. Stay safe and keep celebrating!
Very well explained. thanks for sharing