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RAKSHA BANDHAN
Raksha Bhandan is celebrated on the full-moon
day in the month of Shravan (July-August). The festival of
Raksha Bandhan symbolizes love affection and feeling of brotherhood.
“Raksha” means protection, and
“Bandhan” means bond, therefore, when a sister ties
a Rakhi around the wrist of her brother, she signifies her
loving attachment to him. The brother extends his wrist forward
signifying an extending hand of protection. Raksha Bandhan
is also known as Rakhi.
According to one legend, when the demon
King Bali’s devotion won over Lord Vishnu, he was compelled
to leave his abode to stay in Bali’s Kingdom. When Lord
Vishnu did not return, the distressed Goddess Lakshmi arrived
in Sutal on Shravan Poornima. She accepted King Bali as her
brother by tying a Rakhi on him.
In return Bali asked her to request a wish.
Goddess Lakshmi wished for Lord Vishnu’s return to Vaikunth.
Bali granted her the wish. It is thus believed that the festival
of Rakhi commenced from the day when Goddess Lakshmi tied
the Rakhi on King Bali.
According to another legend, the Gods decided
to fight the demons again after they lost a war against the
demons. Even Lord Indra lost the battle against the demons
and was depressed. On this occasion, Indra’s wife took
a thread, charged it with sacred verses or Mantras and tied
it on his wrist, after telling him the story of Raksha Bandhan.
Indra then attained victory against the demons.
Raksha Bandhan holds special significance
for the Hindus. Girls make it a point to bring the best possible
rakhis for their brothers. They busy themselves with the preparation
of traditional sweets and dishes. After an early bath and
worshipping God, the sister offers “aarti” to her
brother and ties the sacred thread on his wrist. The sister
adorns her brother’s forehead with the traditional tikli
(vermilion). The brother gives his sister a gift after she
ties the rakhi. The gift is symbolic of the brother’s
blessings to his sister.
The Rakhi
Rakhi is a sacred thread made out of traditional
silk thread or any other material. To beautify the rakhi some
design is weaved on the thread. Nowadays Rakhis are decorated
with soft silky threads of various colours, and also with
ornaments, pictures, gold and silver threads etc.
Preparations for the festival begin well
in advance. The markets wear a festive look with the colourful,
ornate and dazzling 'Rakhis' hanging loose or put on display
for sale in shops that specially come up for this occasion.
Every year new designs of rakhis can be
seen in the shops. They come with small painted mirrors and
beads or made of spices like cardamom and clove or grains
of rice, corn, etc, adding more variety to the traditional
rakhi. The myriad range of rakhis is breathtaking.
See Also Hindu Festivals Celebrated in
Goa:
| Chovoth
| Diwali | Gokulashtami
| Holi | Lairai
Jatra | Nagpanchami |
| Gudi Padwa | Raksha
Bandhan | Ram Navmi | Vasco
Saptah | Chikhalkala |
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