Must read Raksha Bandhan 2023 Date and Time, History, Celebration, Procedure, and Importance.
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Over 1.2 billion people wait for the Raksha Bandhan festival. This Hindu annual rite is a symbol of the special bond brothers and sisters share. Indians have celebrated this festival for many ages. Many foreigners are influenced by this beautiful ritual and celebrate it annually.
Do you also wish to learn how to celebrate Raksha Bandhan? What are the rituals you must follow while celebrating Rakhi? What is Raksha Bandhan history and why it is one of the most important Hindu festivals? Continue reading to reveal the answer now!
Raksha Bandhan is one of the four main Hindu festivals. It is always celebrated on the last day of the Shraavana month. All relationships are special for Indians, specifically Hindus. However, the bond between brother and sister is pretty unique. The Raksha Bandhan festival is the celebration of that extraordinary relationship.
Rakhi became one of the most widely celebrated festivals in South Asia. People from countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and many other countries celebrate it annually. Large Hindu communities from all over the world wait for this event to tie Rakhi, enjoy sweets, and various Indian cuisines.
Indians have been celebrating Raksha Bandhan for thousands of years. It is one of the oldest celebrated festivals in the world. Several events occurred between popular Hindi gods that inspired this celebration. Here you will learn Raksha Bandhan history in English, but it may appear a bit complex.
Many inspiring legends have been associated with this beautiful festival. Ancient Indians started this unique celebration and it continues to this day. Let’s learn about some popular stories and legends related to Raksha Bandhan.
Goddess Lakshmi and King Bali Shree Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana present a legend in which Lord Vishnu conquered Tin Lokas (three worlds). Those worlds were ruled by the evil King Bali. The defeated king offered Lord Vishnu to stay with him in his palace. He accepted the offer and stayed with the evil king.
Goddess Lakshmi did not wish to stay there. She wanted to go back to Lord Vishnu’s residence of Vaikunth Dhaam. She made Bali her brother by tying a Rakhi on his wrist. There has been a tradition of offering a present to the sister, who ties Rakhi. So, King Bali asked Goddess Lakshmi what she wanted as a return gift. She asked Bali to allow Lord Vishnu to return to his native place. It became one of the most popular events depicted in Raksha Bandhan history.
A popular legend of Indra Dev and Sachi has been presented in the Bhavishya Purana. It features a ferocious battle between demons and Hindu Gods. Lord Indra is the king of gods and the deity of thunderbolts and rains. He was leading gods and facing tough resistance from evil King Bali. That battle continued for years and a decisive end was not visible.
Sachi, who is Lord Indra’s wife, sought Lord Vishnu’s help to end that battle. Vishnu Ji gave her a powerful cotton thread bracelet. She tied it to her husband’s wrist and he defeated the demons. That incident became a popular tradition in Hindu mythology. Wives started tying Raksha Sutra on their husbands’ wrists believing Lord Vishnu would offer them strength to win all wars.
This legend is associated with Lord Ganesha and his sons Shub and Labh. Both sons asked Ganesh Ji for a sister because they did not have a sister. He finally obliged when Shree Narada Muni intervened.
Santoshi Maa was descended from divine flames and thus Shubh and Labh got a sister. She is the goddess of satisfaction and gratification. Being born on Raksha Bandhan. Therefore, many people associate Raksha Bandhan history with Santoshi Maa.
Mahabharat is a renowned Sanskrit Epic depicting many stories of gods, Pandavas and Kauravas. There is a popular incident in this epic depicting the Shishupal’s demise. Lord Krishna had assured Shishupal’s mother that he would forgive her son’s 100 mistakes.
Shishupal disrespected Lord Krishna 100 times and then Lord Krishna killed him through his Sudarshan Chakra (the most powerful weapon of Lord Vishnu). His finger got injured when he released the Sudarshan Chakra. Draupadi tore her Sari and tied a piece of cloth around Lord Krishna’s finger to stop the bleeding. Shree Krishna appreciated her efforts and promised to protect her.
This incident became the most popular legend associated with Raksha Bandhan. Every brother promises to protect his sister from all sorts of troubles. Lord Krishna and Draupadi’s legend changed the Raksha Bandhan meaning.
Yama is the god of death in Hindu mythology and Yamuna is his sister. He had not met his sister for twelve years and she became pretty sad. Goddess Ganaga suggested Yama to meet his sister. Yamuna Ji provided the best hospitality to her brother, whom she met after a long time.
That hospitality and affection pleased Yama and he asked his sister to ask for any gift she wanted. She asked only to meet her brother as often as possible. Lord Yama made Yamuna immortal so that she could see him time and again. This legend became another inspiring story in Raksha Bandhan history.
It is probably the most exciting festival for sisters. They start preparing for Rakhi many days before the date of the festival. Retailers across the country adorn their shops with a variety of Rakhis, new clothes, decorating items, and other products. It indicates the Rakhi festival date is near.
Every Hindu festival boosts sales of local retailers. Sweets, clothes, home decoration, Indian cuisine sellers, and many other retailers wait for Rakhi to sell more products. This is how to celebrate Raksha Bandhan in home:
Raksha Bandhan's preparation begins with shopping. Sisters explore the entire market to buy the best Rakhi for their brothers. They buy Rakhi along with Shreefal (coconut), sweets, new clothes, and gifts.
Brothers also need to get prepared for the festival because all their sisters are expecting gifts. Many Indian men gift chocolates, clothes, new gadgets, devices, and accessories. Those, who cannot buy a gift, offer money along with a promise that they will protect her forever.
The Rakhi tying ceremony begins during a specific time, decided according to Hindu Calander. This ritual takes place after worshipping gods and then brothers wait for their sisters to tie the Rakhi.
The sister first applies Tilak on the forehead of their brothers and then applies Akshid (rice) over the Tilak. Next, she ties the Rakhi around her brother’s wrist and then performs Aarti. This Raksha Bandhan activity is an important part of the ritual. It shows the sister is praying the god to keep the brother healthy, happy, prosperous, and safe from all troubles.
The entire family gathers at the native village to celebrate the Raksha Bandhan festival. Indian men travel hundreds of kilometres to meet their sisters and celebrate the bond. Families prepare a wide range of vegetarian cuisines and sweets on this occasion. The entire family shares the meal as a part of the ritual.
Many people wonder why Raksha Bandhan is celebrated. This festival allows people to get together with their siblings and celebrate the bond they have had since their childhood.
The Raksha Bandhan Muhurat 2023 falls on the 30th and 31st August this year. The Drik Panchang is offering two dates due to Bhadra Kaal. The leading astrologers are recommending people to not perform rituals during the Bhadra Kaal.
People should not tie Rakhi between 10:13 am and 8:57 pm because it will be Bhadra Kaal on the 30th August. People should tie Rakhi between 9:01pm on 30th Aug-2023 to Before 7:30 am on 31st Aug-2023.
The Purnima Tithi (full moon date) is on 30th August. It is the day to celebrate Raksha Bandhan, but people are confused about Raksha Bandhan muhurat 2023 time.
Astrologers and experts do not recommend performing Raksha Bandhan rituals during the nighttime. Therefore, the best time to tie Rakhi will be
People have been celebrating the Raksha Bandhan festival since ancient times. Hindu scriptures depict many stories to describe why Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in India. Modern Indians love to celebrate this event because:
All the siblings get together and learn the meaning behind Raksha Bandhan. Young kids find it an entertaining event. They meet all their relatives, play various games, and spend quality time with friends across the neighborhood. Adults get a chance to meet their siblings after several months on Rakhi.
You can call it the day of sisters because all the Hindu legends describe the importance of sisters. They expect the best gifts, treatment, and admiration on this day. Brothers assure their sisters that they will be there to protect her and keep her happy.
Raksha Bandhan celebration is also important for thousands of local shopkeepers in India. They decorate their shops with new products to boost sales and earn good profits. People spend a considerable sum of money on a wide range of items. It makes the Raksha Bandhan festival an important occasion for all sorts of retailers.
A: Yes, the festival is on the 30th of August, but many people won’t celebrate it because of Bhadra Kaal. Most Indians may celebrate it on 31st August.
A: Bhadra Kaal is an inauspicious period. Hindu gurus and pundits recommend not performing any auspicious activity in this period.
A: It is inauspicious to tie Rakhi at night. Therefore, people celebrate this festival during the daytime.
A: Their daughters, cousins, friends, or colleagues tie the Rakhi to celebrate the festival.
A: No, Indian wives tie a Raksha Sutra on their husbands’ wrists to protect them from bad things.
A: We have shared three popular legends associated with Raksha Bandhan. A majority of Indians believe that this festival is inspired from Shree Krishna and Draupadi’s relationship. Shree Krishna protected her from Kauravas and it became a ritual to tie Rakhi on this day.
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