Raksha Bandhan is basically a North Indian festival. But the element of enthusiasm and happiness can be seen all across the country. It falls on the Shravana Purnima, that is, a full moon day in the month of August.
If we turn the pages of history, we find that Raksha Bandhan held great importance in the lives of our ancestors. It was not merely a ritual, but they used to stand by the oath they had taken to protect their sisters. For instance, Porus spared the life of Alexander as he promised his sister, Alexander's wife, to guard her husband on the battlefield.
Way before the auspicious day the people start preparing for it. On this day, the family members wake up early in the morning. After cleansing their mind, body and soul they perform Puja. The women in the household fast till the completion of the rituals. They prepare delicious recipes for the family and also assemble holy items for Arti in a Thali. On the set Muhurat, they tie Rakhi on the wrist of their brother and perform their Arti. She then makes her brother eat a piece of mithai (sweet). This sweet refers to the sweetness their relationship engrosses and has kept since the childhood days. Gifts are exchanged between brothers and sisters and this is the way they show their love for each other. The rituals are followed by feast. As all the family members gather under one roof, there is joy everywhere. Delicious recipes are prepared. If the woman is married the brother comes to her house and performs the rituals.
In the contemporary era, when people have little time to spend with each other, Raksha Bandhan becomes a nice excuse to sit and spend quality time with your loved ones.
