Rakhi is a festival dedicated to all the brothers and sisters In India,
symbolizing the love and emotional bond shared by them. The graceful
relationship between brothers and sisters has so much regard and magnitude for
Hindus that an entire day of the year is devoted by them for the celebration of
this pious relationship. Hindu community celebrates this special day like a
festival and calls it 'Rakhi' or 'Raksha-Bandhan'. The literal meaning of 'Raksha-Bandhan'
is 'the bond of protection'.
On Rakhi, it is a custom for the sisters to tie a scared thread, called Rakhi,
on their brother's wrist. The brothers, in turn, promise their sisters to
protect and safeguard them against all the evil forces. Though Rakhi festival
has special importance for the brothers and sisters, it is celebrated with great
zeal and enthusiasm by the entire family. Thus, the festival of Raksha Bandhan
represents not only the siblings' emotional bond, but also an occasion of family
get-togethers and reviving relationships.
There are several examples that show that Rakhi has a much broader connotation.
The sacred thread of Rakhi is not just limited to brothers and sisters, but can
be tied by wife, a daughter or mother. Rishis also used to tie the sacred bond
to the people who came to seek their blessings, thus signifying protection from
any evil. The festival of Rakhi also signifies peaceful coexistence, which is
obvious when neighbors and friends tie Rakhi on each other's wrists. Rakhi also
holds an oath of practicing moral, spiritual and cultural values.
The values and the sentiments attached to Raksha Bandhan show the traditional as
well as broader significance of the festival. Since the ancient times, Rakhi has
been a symbol of seeking help or protection from the powerful ones, by the
weaker souls. In due course of time the moods of this festival's celebrations
have changed, a lot but the basic idea of 'a bond of protection' has remained
unchanged. Even in the modern times the festival is beyond the difference of
caste, race, religious, haves and have-nots, and even national boundaries. |
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