Raksha Bandhan: Meaning, History, Celebration Ideas & Quotes

Raksha Bandhan is around the corner. Raksha Bandhan festival carries its significance for Indian brothers and sisters. It is one of the auspicious occasions that celebrates the brother-sister bond. Families give immense importance to Raksha Bandhan time and make sure that sisters tie Rakhi to the brother only during Raksha Bandhan muhurat. As well-known as it is, Raksha Bandhan history is related to Hindu scriptures and signifies the reason behind the Raksha Bandhan festival.

What is Raksha Bandhan?

Raksha Bandhan, popularly called Rakhi, is a sacred thread that sisters tie to brothers in India. It signifies the care and protection a brother has to give to his sister. Raksha Bandhan festival is considered one of the not-to-miss occasions for all women with brothers. Despite their distance and location, brothers and sisters gather on this day to celebrate the Raksha Bandhan festival.

Raksha Bandhan Meaning

Raksha Bandhan is a Sanskrit term that means a sacred thread. The popular term Rakhi originates from the Sanskrit word Raksika, which means a thread or an amulet that protects the wearer. 

Raksha Bandhan Time

The Raksha Bandhanconsiders the Bhadraakaal. Shubh muhurat varies from year to year. Sisters tie Rakhi only during this Raksha Bandhan muhurat. Also, according to the history of Raksha Bandhan, there is a reason for the Raksha Bandhan date. 

Raksha Bandhan date falls on the Sravana Purnima (full moon day of Sravan month of Indian Lunar calendar). The festival is not celebrated as per date, rather it obeys tithi, like many other Indian festivals. 

What does Raksha Bandhan Time Signify? 

The Raksha Bandhan muhurat or time carries immense significance. It is only during this time that sister should toe Rakhi to her brother’s right-hand wrist. 

There are also certain rules to tie Rakhi to a brother:

• The sister should not tie Rakhi during Rahu Kaal or Bhadra Kaal.
• Both the sister and brother should take a head bath and wear clean clothes.
• Sister should offer diya to her brother and put Kumkum on his forehead.
• Rakhi should be tied only to the right hand.
• The brother should sit facing East and sister should face West while tying Rakhi.
• Sister or brother, whoever is elder should bless the other one by putting akshintalu (the sacred yellow colored rice) on their head.
• Sister should offer sweets to her brother as a symbol of his longevity.
• Sister should chant this Raksha Bandhan mantra while tying rakhi:

ॐ येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबल:।

तेन त्वामपि बध्नामि रक्षे मा चल मा चल।।

Raksha Bandhan Story

There are many popular stories from Hindu scriptures. Right from Yama-Yamuna, Sri Krishna-Draupadi, Goddess Lakshmi, King Mahabali, Santoshi Mata – every Raksha Bandhan story tells the power of this sacred thread.

Yama Yamuna Story 

Yamuna is the sister of Lord Yama, the God of Death. On Sravana Purnima day, he visited his sister’s house. She offered him the warmest welcome by showering her care, love, respect, and attention. Yama was immensely pleased and gave a boon that every sister who cared for her brother on this day, will live happily lifelong.

Sri Krishna-Draupadi Story

According to Mahabharata, once Lord Sri Krishna got injured in his little finger. While his wives near him rushed to bring medical aid, his sister Draupadi tore her saree edge and tied it as a bandage to his finger. Happy with her devotion, he granted a boon that he will pay it back at the right time. This incident is believed to be the origin of the practice of Rakhi.

Goddess Lakshmi-King Mahabali

The King Mahabali who ruled Kerala was an intense devotee of Lord Vishnu. Once he requested Vishnu to stay with him in his court. The Lord happily agrees and stays with him. Worried about his absence, Lord Vishnu’s wife Goddess Lakshmi enquires what might have happened. She comes to know that her husband is in the court of Mahabali. 

Then she descends to the Earth from Vaikuntha and reaches Mahabali’s court. The king offers her a grateful welcome. She then ties a sacred thread to Mahabali and calls him brother. Overwhelmed by her action, he promises her that he would give anything she asks for. She then asks Mahabali to send her husband Lord Vishnu back with her to Vaikuntha. For which, Mahabali does the same.

Ganesha and Santoshi Mata

Ganesha has a divine sister, Manasa. She used to visit Ganesha’s home every Sravana Purnima and tie Rakhi to him. Being the sweetest brother, Ganesha used to shower his love by gifting her with many gifts. Observing this practice, Shubh, and Laabh – his sons ask him the Raksha Bandhan story. 

After knowing the reason behind tying Rakhi, they request their father that they also would like to have a sister to enjoy this revered bond. Then, Ganesha emits a divine light and mixes the power of Riddhi and Siddhi, his two wives. The light turns into a beautiful girl child called Santoshi. She then ties Raksha to her brothers – Shubh and Labh.

Raksha Bandhan History

The practice of Rakhi is most revered in India. As per the history of Raksha Bandhan, one can see queens tying Rakhis to their brothers. One famous incident related to Raksha Bandhan history is Rani Karnavati sending Rakhi to Emperor Humayun to stop his invasion. 

Though the Raksha Bandhan history is related to Hindu scriptures, the festival celebration erases the religious boundaries. Rakhi is one of the beautiful festivals of India that reflects religious unity and shows the actual Raksha Bandhan meaning. It is a common practice that women in India tie Rakhis to men whom they consider brothers. Anywhere in the history of Raksha Bandhan, religion never becomes a hindrance for a woman to tie Rakhi to a man. 

How is Rakhi Celebrated?

• In many cultures of India, Rakhi is also tied between women. For instance, in Rajasthan and Telangana, one can see sisters-in-law tying Rakhis to each other. Similarly, Rakhis are also tied between nephews and cousins who are sisters or brothers by relation. 

• Rakhi festival is also called Jandhayala Pournami. On this day, Brahmins replace their old janeyu with a new one and offer prayers to God after taking a bath in a river. This is most practiced in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

• Similarly, in Jammu, people fly kites on Rakhi day. While kite flying is most popular for Sankranti in the rest of India, people of Jammu celebrate Rakhi with this colorful event of kite flying.

• Likewise, in Maharashtra, families of fishermen worship the sea god for his blessings. After tying Rakhi to their brothers, sisters throw coconuts into the sea to request the sea god to protect their brothers.

Thus, Raksha Bandhan history and celebration varies with local beliefs and practices, though the essence remains the same.

Raksha Bandhan Celebration Ideas at Home and Outside

As the Raksha Bandhan 2022 is fast approaching, check these Rakhi celebration ideas to make the moments more memorable:

• Plan for a long drive: Now that the world is slightly back to normal and hopefully everyone is vaccinated, plan for a safe and long drive with your brother. Forget the daily routine and ditch the social media and spend time reminiscing about the good old childhood days. 

• Send a surprise gift: Sending Raksha Bandhan gifts for brothers is a not-to-miss norm. After all, what other occasion is better to surprise your bestie for life – your brother! Need ideas for Raksha Bandhan gifts for brother? Move a little down this post.

• Cook at home: This Rakhi, don the aprons and rule the kitchen. Take the help of Youtube university and cook a special menu to make the Raksha Bandhan festival more special. Here’s an idea for Raksha Bandhan gifts for brother. 

• Watch Rakhi movies: Let the tears of emotion roll out on this emotional day. After all, brother-sister sentiment rules the silver screen at any time! Cook or order your food, and spend the day with the Rakhi movies marathon at home.

• Experiment with DIY: You and your brother can try your hand at making something creative and useful from waste at home. Be it a desk décor or a wall hanging, spend the day unleashing your creativity and inner child.

• Give a new look to your garden: Use this Rakhi day to refresh your balcony garden. Replace old pots with new ones and bring in some new plants to your collection.

• Redecorate your work from home space: If you and your brother are working from home or attending online classes, use this day to revamp the work from home space. Stick some motivation stickers and clean up the junk and the mess. Add some freshness through indoor plants and watch the new energy filling the space.  

• Cherish olden memories: Take out the old albums and lose them into your childhood days. See how you and your brother looked when you were in school and college. Discuss those days and relive the moments to strengthen your bond.

• Spend time with nature: Go to the nearest park or lake for a walk with your brother. Enjoy the wintery evenings while you cherish your childhood days.  

• Invite your friends and cousins: Nothing like it than friends and cousins to shake the floor. Call them over for lunch or dinner and make your home a little disco! 

Virtual Raksha Bandhan Celebration Ideas 

Long distance virtual Rakhi celebrations? No worries! Here are some trendy Virtual Raksha Bandhan celebration ideas for you:

• Say cheers virtually: Hop on to a video call with your brother and raise a toast virtually. Spend time little more than you do on-call and enquire about his emotional, mental, and financial health. Who cares more about a brother than a sister? Let your brother know that you are there for him no matter what.

• Selfie contest: Ask your brother to send selfies in Nava rasas – the nine emotions as per classical dance. You also do the same. And, finally, make them into a beautiful collage! You could also try a similar activity with creating quotes on Raksha Bandhan and scribbling them beautifully.

• Singing contest: You and your brother should sing songs only related to sisters and brothers. Be it from any Indian language, the song should be only from bro-sis movies. You could even encourage your parents to join this activity.

• Cooking contest: Have a contest between you and your brother. You should cook a favorite recipe and vice versa. Share the cooking videos and have fun eating your lunch over a video call.

• “How much do you know about me” contest: Prepare a list of questions to ask your brother. Your favorite color, dress, movie, food, hobby, etc. He should answer right, else you gain an upper hand in choosing your Rakhi gift!

• Happy Raksha Bandhan quotes contest: You and your brother should create your creative Raksha Bandhan quotes. You might take the inspiration from super hit movie dialogs. 

• Help the underprivileged: You and your brother together can help the underprivileged who are not blessed as you. Make an online donation and fill light in their lives too.

Happy Raksha Bandhan Quotes

Here is a curated collection of happy Raksha Bandhan quotes that you can use as WhatsApp share or Telegram message to send Raksha Bandhan wishes to your brother. 

Feel free to use these quotes on Raksha Bandhan to personalize the gifts and messages.

• “Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet.” – Vietnamese Proverb

• “Your parents leave you too soon and your kids and spouse come along late, but your siblings know you when you are in your most inchoate form.” – Jeffrey Kluger

• “My brother has the best sister in the world.” – Unknown

• “The greatest gift our parents gave us was each other.” – Unknown

• “Sisters and brothers just happen, we don’t get to choose them, but they become one of our most cherished relationships.” – Wes Adamson

• “Brothers are playmates in the beginning and best friends for life.” – Anonymous 

• “Being brother and sister means being there for each other.” – Unknown

• “There’s no other love like the love for a brother. There’s no other love like the love from a brother.” – Terri Guillemets

• “I can’t promise to solve all your problems, but I can promise you won’t have to face them alone.” – Unknown

• “The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend.” – Cali Rae Turner

Raksha Bandhan wishes to you and your family!! Happy Raksha Bandhan!

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