Traditions Followed During Rakhi

Raksha Bandhan is one of the special occasions in India which celebrates the eternal relation between a brother and sister. The festival is celebrated on the day of Shravan Poornima which every year falls in the month of August. On this auspicious day the sister ties a Rakhi on the hand of the brother as a mark of love and honour. The brother also takes a pledge to protect his sister from all possible dangers. It is one of the eventful days of the year when sisters send rakhi to India. Rakhi for Raksha Bandhan is an exclusive category because it conveys love in one of its purest forms. Rakhi for Raksha Bandhan is not a single thread but a carrier of age old traditions which have enhanced the life of brothers and sisters over a number of years.

Preparations for the event starts early in the morning with the members of the family taking a holy dip. Then the sweets and Rakhi threads are arranged. Sisters prepare the Thali for the Puja. The thali consists of rice grains, incense sticks, sweets, kumkum(vermillion) and an earthen or metal lamp called diya.

The first offerings of the day are made to the deities of the family. Then Arti ceremony, a pious Hindu festival, is performed. After completion of Aarti the sister puts chawal and tilak on the forehead of the brother and then ties the rakhi on his hand. Sacred mantras are chanted all around as the brother and sister are united by one of the heavenly pledges. The chanting of a mantra by the sister while tying a Rakhi thread on the hand of a brother says, “Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej

Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee”

Translated in English, this means

The sun glows with its sunlight; the radish spreads its seeds,

I tie the rakhi to you my brother and wish that you may long live.

She further chants, "Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala"

This means, “ I tie you the rakhi that was tied on the hand of king Bali, the king of demons, O Rakhi I pray from thee that your never fail in defending your devotee.”

The sister then offers sweets to her brother to wish him good luck. In return, the brother vows to take care of his sister in times of need. As an integral part of the ritual the brother offers his sister return gifts and sweets.

On the festive occasion of Raksha Bandhan, both the brothers and sisters wish each other success, prosperity, health and happy long life. Then they seek the blessings of the elders and visit the homes of their relatives to exchange greetings.

Sending rakhi to India and other rakhi gifts is an experience worth relieving again and again. Nothing can be equated with the emotions attached with the event. It’s a celebration of life in one of its best forms. Sisters buy exclusive rakhi for their brothers in India online and enrich their life with rakhis and other gifts. They buy exclusive rakhi not only for its unique design but also for giving expression to the inexplicable feelings which they treasure in their heart for their brothers. With websites helping in sending rakhi to all over India sisters who live in distant lands can easily connect to their brothers. The easy availability of services for sending rakhi to all over India has really made things brighter for brothers and sisters while celebrating the eternal spirit of Rakhi.