WHAT: RAKSHA BANDHAN

WHEN: Shravan (July/ August)

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on full moon day Poornima of the Hindu month of Shravan.

According to legend, once when Krishnaji had hurt his hand, Draupadi tore a piece of her saree and tied it on the wrist of Krishnaji. Krishnaji said that he will always protect her. Since that time, on the day of Raksha Bandhan, brothers take a vow to protect their sisters. To mark the ceremony, sisters tie Rakhi on the brother’s wrist.

HOW: Preparation for the puja

• Rakhis of different types are kept for different relatives
• For married brother plain rakhis made of simple silk threads ‘Sadi Rakhi’.
• For unmarried young brothers and cousins, another type of rakhis known as ‘Chakaliya’ are made.
• For bhabhis (sisters-in-laws) and girls ‘lumbas’ are ordered.
• Coconut to be given to the brothers
• Dry coconut / gut for bhabhis
• Sweets
• Aarti thaali with roli, rice, sweet, water, deepak
• If the brother is residing in another city, all the rakhis along with roli, chawal, mishri are sent in advance to him, the bhabhi and the nephews and nieces. Some people like to send token gifts also
• If the brother stays in the same city, the programme is fixed a few days in advance and a suitable time and venue is fixed. The sister goes to the brother’s house to tie the Rakhi

Method of performing puja

• Sister applies tilak to the brother.
• She ties rakhis on the right wrist of the brother.
• A coconut is given to the brother and the sister also makes him eat some sweet.
• According to his wish, the brother places a gift or cash on the aarti ki thaali.
• Then the sister applies tilak to bhabhi.
• On the bangles of the left hand the sister ties the Lumba.
• The Bhabhi is given gut and some sweets to eat. The Bhabhi gives some Pagalagai to the sister (nanad).
• Then the sister applies tilak to the nephews and nieces.
• Rakhis-chakaliyas are tied. Sweets and some gifts are given.
• Janeu puja is done in the morning for people who wear janeu. If you are unable to do the puja, then after bath just wear a new janeu.
• The Maheshwari community celebrates Raksha Bandhan on Rishi Panchami which falls on the 5th day in Shukla Paksh in the month of Bhadon.

Soon Mandana

• Soon Maandana denotes making auspicious symbols.
• Making auspicious symbols outside the door before the festival of Raksha Bandhan brings well being. Two days before Rakhi Purnima, on both sides of the doors of the house, we make a tikki (dot) either with cow dung water or with mud.
• The day prior to Purnima we smear chuna on this tikki and make Soon (shagun) with red clay (geru). These designs could be either a swastik, Ram Ram, Radhe Krishna or any motif. On the day of Purnima when there is no Bhadra, sprinkle this with water, roli and chawal and we stick a piece of moli thread with little laddu on it.