Raksha Bandhan: Exploring the Rich History, Cultural Significance, and Perfect Gift Ideas

Raksha Bandhan is one of the most popular Indian festivals which is observed and celebrated by the Indian people to mark the bond of love and affection between the siblings particularly belonging to the brother and sister fraternity. This makes the festivals very important to siblings since they identify with the gifts they give with love, protection and the feeling of gratitude. In India, Raksha Bandhan’s purpose is represents the bond between siblings, as the gesture of a sister putting a sacred thread, a rakhi, around her brother’s wrist signify the prayers of the sister for the well-being of the brother and in turn the vow of protection of the brother for as long as they live. Gifts exchanged by the siblings make this bond possible as both of them can show their affection in this way.

Origin of Rakhi

Raksha Bandhan festival comes with a lot of stories about its birth and significance. The most famous of all being Drapaudi and Krishna’s story. But apart from the story, there are many more which indicate the origin of the festival. Among all these mighty tales one of the most famous was that of Kalyani Kakaji’s Queen Karnavati of Mewar and King Humayun the second Mughal emperor of India of the Timurid dynasty. Once Mewar was under the attack by Bahadur Shah and then Queen Karnavati cut a rakhi and sent this rakhi to Humayun. Pleased by her action, Humayun immediately prepared to help her, though could not leave before the invasion. This story is allegorical of the relationship between the siblings and it really shows the importance of the rakhi symbol.

Gifts that can be given to your sister on Raksha Bandhan

• Smartwatch: An accessory that can serve as a gift and bring style and convenience in her life including calls and activity tracking.
• Wireless Earbuds: Ideal for users who enjoys music or for those who travel most of the time.
• Portable Charger: A convenient accessory to carry always to ensure her devices are fully charged at all times.
• E-Reader: For those sisters who love reading, one can take them a Kindle as a good gift.
• Bluetooth Speaker:A speaker mobile because it can follow you to anywhere and enjoy the music or a podcast.
• Personalized Jewelry: An initial pendant or charm bracelet, some kind of piece of jewelry that has either the first initial or a symbol that she holds dear.
• Customized Photo Album:A set of people’s favourite photos which depicts different moments that occurred in their lives.
• Scented Candles:A bunch of lovely smelling candles for having that perfect atmosphere for a movie night.
• Plush Toys:A teddy bear, a soft toy, or any form of stuffed animal that she can carry with her at all times.
• Handwritten Letter:Cute message that will show her that you caress her deeply and value her.

The gifts given and taken during the Raksha Bandhan are not mere material products but the manifestation of love, affection and guarantee between the siblings. Both useful and symbolic, the gifts represent the fact that no matter how old the children are their ties are very close.

Cultural celebration of Raksha Bandhan

Maharashtra – Narali Purnima

In Maharashtra Raksha Bandhan falls in Narali Purnima, this festival is dedicated to the fishing community. This is a ceremony in which fishermen bring coconuts close to the sea to pray to the Sea God before going fishing after the end of monsoon period. Though Rakhis are still put by sisters on the brother’s hand, it has its day full of rituals that dominate the celebrations in a way that is special to the coastal regions.

Rajasthan – Lumba Rakhi

In Rajasthan there is a speciality – additional to rakhis tied to the brothers, the sisters also tie rakhis on sister-in-law (bhabhi). The “Lumba Rakhi” is particularly worn by the sister-in-law and the rakhi is endowed on her bangle. Despite their centennial origin, these customs can be rightly called courageous. They talk about the sister’s desire for her brother’s married life to be happy, and the link between the sister and her brother’s wife.

West Bengal and Odisha – Jhulan Purnima

In West Bengal and Odisha, Raksha Bandhan is observed jointly with Jhulan Purnima – the festival dedicated to Lord Krishna and his lover Radha. Sensuous ceilings and walls, swings for the idols of Lord Krishna and Radha. Traditional folks celebrate it with rakhis and gifts like sweets but apart from that the religious followers have many rituals and celebrations in favor of Lord Krishna.

Nepal – Janai Purnima

Celebrated in Nepal as Janai Purnima, men put new ‘janai’, a sacred thread worn around the waist by the Brahmin community where Raksha bandhan is a festival that sisters celebrate by tying rakhi onto their brothers’ wrist, but here it is not restricted to this relation. Both the males and the female members of the various Indian communities use rakhis to be tied around other people in order to signify protection. Gift-giving and the general feeling of oneness of the people are characteristics of the occasion.

Gujarat – Pavitropana

Pavitropana is a festival celebrated in conjunction with Raksha Bandhan in which people go to temples to pay regards to Lord Shiva, which is widely celebrated in Gujarat. Besides, people celebrate the rakhsha bandhan with their deity lord shiva by putting a sacred red thread, with an intention to seek lord’s blessings for the success and prosperity of their families. They are different from any other event in the region because they combine the religious aspect of the devotees and the brother-sister relationship.