History and Significance of Rakhi

Significance of Rakhi

India is known for its festivities. Rakhi is a significant event that is observed with great pomp and show. It is one of the most important celebrations that honours brother and sister love.

Raksha Bandhan is a significant day because it is on this day that a sister wraps a thread around her brother’s hand and prays for his well-being, prosperity, and long life. In exchange, her brother swears to protect her from any evil. Rakhi Bandhan is commemorated on the full moon day of the lunar month Shravan, according to the lunar calendar.

Every year, the festival is held in the month of August. Rakhi is a lunar calendar celebration that takes place on a full moon day in the lunar month of Shravan. The significance of the occasion extends much beyond the sister’s test of Rakhi on the brother’s hand. It’s the season for family gatherings and niceties. Family and friends come over for a lavish lunch or dinner. Rakhi buying is a big deal, and the market gets all decked out in preparation.

Read More: What is the Holi Celebration?

Rakhi shopping entails not just purchasing gifts for the occasion, but also a sense of joy. There is a spirit of camaraderie that pervades the area. The goodwill is not limited to those in one’s immediate vicinity, but extends to everybody. Rakhi’s spirit is embodied in a never-ending bond that unites everyone, regardless of differences.

The festival’s significance stems from its enormous emotional worth, which cannot be matched by anything else. Sending Rakhi to everyone increases the spirit of unity, making our earth a better place to live.

History of Rakhi

Rakhi is a celebration that has been celebrated for centuries. This incident is mentioned in “The Mahabharata.” Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pancha Pandavas questioned Lord Shri Krishna about strategies to dodge the afflictions which are hurting his life. Krishna said that if he observes the Rakshaa Ceremony, everything will be better. This is one of the first times Rakhi is mentioned.

Rakhi Bandhan

The demons and the gods fought each other on the day of ‘Shravan Poornima’ during the Vedic Period. The demons were in command, and the gods were losing ground. The king of the gods, Indra, was concerned about the battle’s outcome. Indrani, his wife, could not witness his suffering and pleaded to God. She made a talisman and put it around Indra’s right wrist because she was a devout lady.

This talisman was important in Indra’s victory. The talisman was named “Raksha Sutra” because it had the power to protect, and the rite of tying it was termed “Raksha Bandhan.”

Rajput Fearing a possible Muslim invasion under Bahadur Shah, Queen Kanwarvati sent a Rakhi to Humayun, the Sultan of Gujarat, to protect her. When his’sister’ called for help, the Emperor mustered his forces to save her.

Rabindranath Tagore’s arrival gave Rakhi a new meaning. This famous poet rose to the forefront in opposition during the partition of Bengal in 1905. He proposed the “Rakhi Bandhan” event to foster a sense of global brotherhood among the people. The ceremony brought together rich and poor against the British rulers’ nefarious schemes, igniting a movement that shook the Empire.

Rabindranath Tagore’s influence on the Rakhi event was profound. Rakhi is no longer just about sending rakhi threads to India. Rakhi threads to India have taken on a new look and are now interesting. However, the true essence remains constant. It’s a day to commemorate the unending love between brothers and sisters.

It is also a day to express universal love for all people. Rakhi is the time of year for plenty of love and mailing rakhi to India, and it has a long history and custom. You can easily send gifts for Rakhi to India to express one’s feelings for a brother or sister. Sending Rakhi is all about happiness that can’t be described in words.

By

Soham Lahiri