Raksha Bandhan Festival in India – Rakhi Celebration, Gift Ideas & Sweets

Raksha Bandhan ( रक्षा बंधन ) is one of the many festivals celebrated in India. The festivals of India are an integral part of its culture and strings together the diverse aspects of the country into a beautiful garland. Festivals in India are not just religious occasions, but they are celebrations of life itself. The festivals are an excuse to rejoice and enjoy life and what it has to offer. So be it the festival of Ramzan, Diwali, Christmas, Navratri, Janmasthami, Holi, or Raksha Bandhan, each festival celebrates love and relationships. The unique relationship of brothers with their sisters is celebrated on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan also known as Rakhi. Read on to know more about Raksha Bandhan, why it is celebrated, Raksha Bandhan history, the religious significance of Raksha Bandhan, and more in this Rakshabandhan blog.

Raksha Bandhan – A Famous Festival in India

The meaning of Raksha Bandhan is, “bond of protection“, and signifies the reiteration and strengthening of the bond between a brother and sister. Raksha Bandhan is a famous Hindu festival celebrated in India, Nepal, and other parts of the Indian subcontinent. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu calendar month ‘Shravana’, which usually falls in August. This ancient Hindu festival is also known as Rakhi Purnima.

Where is Raksha Bandhan celebrated in India

Raksha Bandhan festival is celebrated in North India and Nepal. Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana are the main states of India that celebrate this festival. Rakhi festival is a public holiday in North Indian states.

Raksha Bandhan in Ancient Times

The religious significance of Rakshabandhan can be traced back to the Puranas. The history of the custom of Rakshabandhan can be traced back to the Dwapara Yuga. Mention of this practice is made in the 137th chapter of the Bhavishya Purana.

In this chapter Lord Krishna tells the Pandava prince Yudhistra about the ritual of a king getting a charm tied for protection on his right wrist by the Rajpurohit or Chief priest, on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana. Practices similar to Rakshabandhan have existed in rural communities in the northern part of India for ages. This practice evolved into Rakshabandhan or Raksha Bandhana.

Raksha Bandhan in Modern Times

Rakshabandhan which originally was a Hindu festival that celebrated the bond between brother and sister has evolved into a symbol of love, peace, and harmony. Today it is not only a ritual between brothers and sisters but also encompasses filial relations between those not related by blood. The ritual and festival has also transcended the boundaries of class, caste, and religion, and has been uniting the people of India with the common string of love and brotherhood.

How is Rakshabandhan Celebrated

Rakshabandhan is celebrated with the ritual of sisters applying tilak on the foreheads of their brothers and doing aarti to them. This is followed by the sisters tying the rakhi on the right wrist of their brothers. The rakhi consists of a thread that is embellished with colourful decorations and can be of variable size and design. But what is of essence is the thread, which signifies the bond between the brother and sister. With the tying of the Rakhi, sisters pray for the well-being and health of their brothers. The brothers on their part vow to protect their sisters at all times and as a token present their sisters with a gift of cash or kind depending on their preference and ability. Sweets are then eaten to seal the sweet relationship. Usually in India Rakshabandhan is a family affair that offers families an opportunity to bond and spend time together during the festival.

Bollywood Style Festival

RakshaBandhan also called as Rakhi Pournima, finds a perfect echo in Bollywood movies. Many of the movies have capitalized on the emotions and sentiments associated with RakshaBandhan and the relationship between a brother and sister.

Here are some of the famous Bollywood movies that have Rakshabandhan or the brother-sister relationship as a theme:

• Hare Rama Hare Krishna
• Resham Ki Dori
• Bandhan
• Anpadh

Here are some famous Bollywood Rakshabandhan songs”

Rakhi Celebration, Gift Ideas & Sweets

Rakhi Shopping

One can order online Rakhi for brothers. Along with rakhis, one can also buy gifts for their brothers. Choose a wide range of Rakhis from a huge collection of precious metal Rakhis to fabric Rakhis.

Raksha Bandhan Sweets and Rakhi Sweet Recipes

Like all Indian festivals, Rakshabandhan too is incomplete without its share of sweets and other delicacies. Sisters pull all the stops to prepare the best sweet dishes for their brothers. One can order online sweets for Raksha Bandhan.

If you love cooking then take a look at  10 Rakshabandhan Sweets Recipes to try out this year in this video:

Raksha Bandhan Gift Ideas

The other notable feature of the festival is the exchange of Rakshabandhan gifts. While sisters enthusiastically buy Rakhis & Rakhi Hampers, the brothers are busy shopping for Raksha Bandhan gifts for sisters. Though traditionally brothers are on the lookout for the best gift for sister on Raksha Bandhan, the sisters too plan for a return gift and are busy shopping for the best Raksha Bandhan gifts for brothers.

Raksha Bandhan gift ideas for sister  

If you are looking for Raksha Bandhan gifts for sister then you can easily buy it online. From the comfort of your home, you can order gifts for your beloved sister and choose from a variety of items from jewellery,  apparels, electronics, Chocolates, etc.

We hope you liked our Rakshabandhan blog, and are getting ready your Raksha Bandhan thali and have thought about Raksha Bandhan decoration that you want to do in your house.

How do you celebrate the festival? Do you have any unique Raksha Bandhan gift ideas? Which according to you is the best gift for Rakshabandhan? Do let us know through our comments section.

We would like to wish you a happy Rakshabandhan and hope you have a great Raksha Bandhan celebration this year and every year.

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