India is the only country where the love of a brother-sister duo is respected so
much that a festival, called Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan, is especially dedicated to
it. Rakhi is celebrated with a lot of fun and frolic in India. Besides tying
Rakhis on the brother's hand, gift exchange, relishing tempting and mouth
watering sweets, lots of other elements are also a part of the festivities.
These acts make the Rakhi festival all the more interesting and one is always
looking forward for this day to arrive. Let us know all about Rakhi celebrations
in India.
Rakhi Celebrations In India
Mehendi
Ladies in India have always been fond of putting Mehendi on their hands.
However, on the festival of Rakhi, the tradition has special importance. On the
day, women decorate each others' palms with different styles of mehendi, such as
Marwadi, Shekhawati or Mumbaiya style. As married women apply mehndi on Karwa
Chauth, unmarried girls apply mehndi on the occasion of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan.
In fact, mehendi has now also become a part of the Rakhi festival.
Traditional Dressing
On the auspicious day of Rakhi, guys usually prefer to go for traditional
outfits like kurta-pajamas. At times, they wear formal outfits as well, like
shirt with trousers or shirt with jeans, depending on their choice. On the other
hand, sisters, if married, mostly love to tie designer saris, with light or
heavy work. The unmarried sisters go for salwar-kurta, chudidaar-kurta, saree,
lehengas, and other traditional apparels.
Cards
In modern times, when a large number of brothers and sisters stay away from each
other, due to their educational, job or married life responsibilities, they send
Rakhi cards to each other. They express their feelings towards each other with
the help of these cards, available in the market. The sisters, who are not able
to reach their brothers on this auspicious day, send the Rakhi for their
brothers through postal or courier services.
Markets
On the festive occasion of Rakhi, the markets are decorated profusely. Wide
variety of colorful and beautiful fancy and designer rakhis is available in the
market. These are made of resham or zari threads and decorated with different
items, like beads, semi-precious stones or imitation jewelry. Sometimes, these
rakhis are also decorated with silver and gold. The price of rakhis varies
according to the materials used in making them. However, one thing remains the
same in every rakhi, the love and blessings of the sister for her brother. |
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