Raksha Bandhan Holiday 2023 (Wed, 30th August 2023)

The Raksha Bandhan holiday, also known as Rakhi, is a Hindu festival celebrated in India to honor the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie a sacred thread, or rakhi, around the wrist of their brothers, symbolising their love and protection. Brothers, in return, promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts. The festival is celebrated with great joy and excitement, with families coming together, exchange of sweets, and visits to each other’s homes. 

Let’s know more about the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan!

When is Raksha Bandhan?

The Raksha Bandhan holiday in 2023 will be celebrated on the 30th of August, Wednesday. Rakhi is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana, which typically falls between late July to early August. This day is known as Shravan Poornima or Raksha Bandhan. The festival is celebrated across India and Nepal and is an occasion for families to come together and celebrate the bond of love and affection between brothers and sisters. In some regions, the festival is celebrated on different dates depending on the lunar calendar. 

Raksha Bandhan Muhurat 

The Purnima of Raksha Bandhan defines the muhurat for tying the rakhi and conducting the puja. This year, the Raksha Bandhan muhurat begins at 10:58 am on 30th August, Wednesday. The conclusion of the muhurat is at 7:05 am on 31st August, Thursday. 

Why is Raksha Bandhan Celebrated?

The Raksha Bandhan festival is celebrated to honor the bond between brothers and sisters. However, it is not limited to the relationship between people who are biologically-related siblings. It also extends to tying rakhis to your in-laws, friends, or other family members. 

The sister ties the rakhi on her brother’s hand, seeking protection. The brother, in return, promises to protect his sister from all evil in the world. It commemorates the love and affection between the siblings. 

The story of Raksha Bandhan can be traced back to ancient Hindu mythology. According to one legend, once upon a time, there was a powerful king named Bali who ruled over the kingdom of demons. His own brother, Shurapadmasura, was jealous of his power and wanted to kill him. Bali’s wife, Vindhyavali, was worried about her husband’s safety and decided to seek the help of Lord Vishnu. 

Vishnu appeared before her and promised to protect Bali from his evil brother. Vindhyavali then tied a sacred thread around Vishnu’s wrist, symbolising the bond of protection between them. From that day on, Vishnu protected Bali from all harm and the two brothers were reconciled.

There are many other similar stories of the mythological background of Raksha Bandhan. The celebrated brother-sister bonds in Hindu mythology are those of Yam and Yamuna, Indra Dev and Indrani, and King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi. 

How is Raksha Bandhan Celebrated?

Rakhi is celebrated across India with great enthusiasm. On the day of the festival, sisters get up early in the morning and perform a small puja to prepare for the day. They then tie a sacred thread, or rakhi, around the wrist of their brothers. In return, brothers promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts. The exchange of sweets is also a must. In some communities, the sisters feed their brothers with sweets and savory delicacies. It’s also a custom to visit each other’s homes and exchange greetings.

Many communities also organise special events to celebrate the festival, such as cultural programs, competitions, and community meals. In some places, sisters also tie rakhi to Hindu priests, politicians, and social leaders, as a symbol of their blessings and protection.

Rakhi is not just limited to blood relations. It’s also celebrated among friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Many people also tie rakhi to the Indian soldiers as a symbol of gratitude and appreciation for their service to the nation.

In addition to traditional celebrations, many people also celebrate rakhi by sending rakhi and gifts to their brothers and sisters who live far away. Online rakhi delivery services have become increasingly popular in recent years, making it easier for people to celebrate the festival, even if they are not together.

Raksha Bandhan Background and History

The Raksha Bandhan history goes back to the time of Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun. Rani Karnavti was the queen of Mewar, who ruled the kingdom on her young son Vikramjit’s behalf after the demise of her husband. When Gujarat’s Qutb-ud-din Bahadur Shah attacked Mewar, the queen wrote to the Mughal emperor Humayun for help. 

She also attached a rakhi with her message, seeking protection. Although Humayun was reluctant to extend support to Mewar, he changed his mind on seeing the rakhi. His brotherly love for Queen Karnavati pushed him to protect her and safeguard her kingdom. 

Apart from this, there are traces of tying the rakhi in Mahabharata too. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, had tied a rakhi on the wrist of Lord Krishna before the Kurukshetra war. When she was in distress, Lord Krishna came to her rescue and saved her from being disrobed in public. This event is said to have begun the tradition of sisters tying rakhis to their brothers, seeking their protection and love.

Raksha Bandhan Gift Ideas

Here are a few Raksha Bandhan gift ideas for you:

1. Personalised Photo Frame

Customise a photo frame with a picture of you and your sister together to make it a sentimental and special gift for the occasion.

2. Jewelry

A piece of jewelry, like a pendant or a pair of earrings, can be a great gift for sisters on Rakhi.

3. Spa Voucher

Give your sister the gift of relaxation and pampering with a spa voucher for a massage or beauty treatment.

4. Handmade Crafts

Surprise your sister with a handmade craft, like a quilt, scrapbook, or painting made by you as a symbol of your love and affection. This makes an excellent Raksha Bandhan gift. 

5. Chocolates

Chocolates are a classic gift that never goes out of style. You can choose from a wide variety of flavors and brands to suit your sister’s taste.

6. Home Decor

Give your sister a gift that she can use to decorate her home. You can choose from a wide range of options, such as candles, photo frames, vases, and more. 

7. Books

 If your sister is a bookworm, give her a book she’s been wanting to read or one that you think she will enjoy.

8. Gadgets

 If your sister is tech-savvy, give her a gadget she’s been wanting. It could be a new phone, tablet, or even a smartwatch.

9. Customise Mugs

 Customised mugs are a great way to add a personal touch to your Rakhi gift. You can get your sister’s name or a special message printed on the mug.

10. Flowers

A bouquet of fresh flowers is a beautiful and timeless gift that is sure to please any sister on Rakhi. It can be delivered to her doorstep on the special day.

Final Word

The Raksha Bandhan festival is a cherished day that brings people together and strengthens the bond between brothers and sisters. The festival, which is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana, is an occasion for families to come together and celebrate the love and affection they share. 

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