The Raksha Bandhan, an unforgettable festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters which is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana. The dates of Raksha Bandhan are based on the Hindu lunar calendar.
HISTORY
The History of Raksha Bandhan is a very old as it takes us to the ancient era. It is believed that it was originated in old ages of Gods & Goddesses; as we can find references in texts which are dated back to the 3rd century BCE. There are multiple mythological story-lines exist while we go search for the origination of this great festival.
The most famous story which is known by most of Indians is the story of Yama & Yamuna. Yama was a God of death and Yamuna was Godess of river; They were siblings. One day Yamuna came to Yama & she tied a ribbon or thread on the wrist of Yama wishing good will for him. In return, Yama promised that he will protect her sister from death.
Another story which we may find in Bhagavat Puran & Vishnu Puran says, King Bali was a very powerful king and also a great devotee of God Vishnu, conquered our world. After lord Vishnu conquered & freed the three worlds from King Bali, King Bali invited lord Vishnu to live in his house. Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu's wife, was not happy with this arrangement. She tied rakhi on Bali hand and made him brother. In return, Bali granted a wish for devi Laxmi. As promised, Lord Vishnu came back as devi Laxmi wished.
There is also a story we find in The Mahabharata where, Draupadi used to consider Lord Krishna as her elder bother. One day Lord Krishna injured his finger in battle, out of sisterly love Draupadi torn her sari to bandage his wound. Lord Krishna was overwhelmed promises to repay her in some way. Lord Krishna kept her word and valiantly rescues Draupadi in a time of need. People believes rakhi was started from there.
In 1905, The partition of the Bengal Presidency into Hindu and Muslim majority provinces respectively was decided by the British Government. In order to unite hindu & muslim both community against this british forces, Rabindranath Tagore called on Hindus and Muslims to tie rakhi around each others wrists as a symbolic gesture. Rabindranath himself tied rakhi on the wrist of famous poet & writer Kaji Nazrul Islaam in the name of friendship.
SIGNIFICANCE
All together, Raksha Bandhan is the festival of love, protection and brotherhood. This is the day when sisters show their love and concern for their brothers & brothers promise to protect their sisters.In modern world, The Raksha Bandhan festival is celebrated all over the world wherever there are Hindu people & by people of other faiths - Jainism, Sikhism, Muslims, Christians and Buddhism.
CONCLUSION
Raksha Bandhan is the festival of love, protection and brotherhood. It is a day when sisters express their love and concern for their brothers and Raksha Bandhan represents festivals and celebrations for siblings, as well as the promise of protection, brotherly love, brotherhood and social unity. Although it has evolved over time, the essence of the festival has remained the same; day of eternizing and valuing the relationship between brothers and sisters. Raksha Bandhan will preserve the beauty of these relationships as the sacred bonds are tied and vows will be taken on 30th August 2023 this year.
