The oldest reference to the festival of rakhi goes back to 300 B.C. at the time when Alexander invaded India. It is said that the great conqueror, King Alexander of Macedonia was shaken by the fury of the Indian king Puru in his first attempt. Upset by this, Alexander's wife, who had heard of the Rakhi festival, approached King Puru. King Puru accepted her as his sister and when the opportunity came during the war, he refrained from Alexander.
Lord Krishna and Draupathi
In order to protect the good people, Lord Krishna killed the evil King Shishupal. Krishna was hurt during the war and left with bleeding finger. Seeing this, Draupathi had torn a strip of cloth from her sari and tied around his wrist to stop the bleeding. Lord Krishna, realizing her affections and concern about him, declared himself bounded by her sisterly love. He promised her to repay this debt whenever she need in future. Many years later, when the pandavas lost Draupathi in the game of dice and Kauravas were removing her saari, Krishna helped her divinely elongating the saari so that they could not remove it.
King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi
The demon king Mahabali was a great devotee of lord Vishnu. Because of his immense devotion, Vishnu has taken the task of protecting bali's Kingdom leaving his normal place in Vikundam. Goddess lakshmi - the wife of lord Vishnu - has became sad because of this as she wanted lord Vishnu along with her. So she went to Bali and discussed as a Brahmin woman and taken refuge in his palace. On Shravana purnima, she tied Rakhi on King Bali's wrist. Goddess Lakshmi revealed who she is and why she is there. The king was touched by Her and Lord Vishnu's good will and affection towards him and his family, Bali requested Lord Vishnu to accompany her to vaikuntam. Due to this festival is also called Baleva as Bali Raja's devotion to the Lord vishnu. It is said that since that day it has become a tradition to invite sisters on sravan pournima to tie sacred thread of Rakhi or Raksha bandan.
The Legends of Rakhi
Origin
The Shravana or the monsoon month carries all hues and shades of nature and emotions. Religiously speaking Shravan is a pious month and full moon of this all-important month is considered to be a very holy day. It is celebrated in different ways for different reasons almost throughout the country.
For the siblings it is the eternal tie of love, for Brahmins the day to take the pledge of Brahmanik rites and for those who depend sea and monsoon, it is the beginning of the new season.
Indian festivals are based on the weather changes and their significance in the lives of people but they do have a story to support the celebrations. The rich Indian Mythology provides a religious reason to celebrate the day in a specific way. Many epics are related to the day and the origin of Raksha Bandhan. The festival finds a mention in most of the epics and its origin can be traced back to the mythological Pouranik times.
The legend in the Bhavishya Puran
The legend refers to a war between the Gods and the Demons. The demon King Brutra was advancing and the Gods lead by lord Indra, were on verge of defeat. The king of Gods, Indra approached Guru Brihaspati to find a solution to the situation. Brihaspati asked Indra to tie a sacred thread on his wrist, powered by the sacred mantras on the Shravan Purnima. Lord Indra's Queen Sachi also called Indrani, empowered the thread and tied it on to his hand on the decided day. The power of the sacred thread called Raksha helped the Gods to victory.
The tradition of thread tying still continues. It is a gesture of goodwill.
The legend of King Bali and Goddess Laxmi
According to another legend Demon King Bali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu had taken up the task to guard his kingdom leaving his own abode in Vaikunth. Goddess Laxmi wished to be with her lord back in her abode. She went to Bali disguised as a Brahmin woman to seek refuge till her husband came back.
During the Shravan Purnima celebrations, Laxmiji tied the sacred thread to the King. Upon being asked she revealed who she was and why she was there. The king was touched by her goodwill for his family and her purpose and requested the Lord to accompany her. He sacrificed all he had for the Lord and his devoted wife.
Thus the festival is also called Baleva that is Bali Raja's devotion to the Lord.It is said that since then it has been a tradition to invite sisters in Shravan Purnima for the thread tying ceremony or the Raksha Bandhan
Rakhi Celebration in India
In India, celebrations for Rakhi begin a month before the festival. Markets wear a festival look as colorful Rakhi stall mushroom in every nook and corner of the country. Brothers and sisters staying away from home start making plans for a visit to home. For them Raksha Bandhan is the time for family reunion.
On the day of Rakhi spirit of the people is high and there is a general atmosphere of harmony and bliss. All family members gather and carry out the traditional customs of the day with joy and enthusiasm. Later, everyone relishes the best of food and have a good time.
Regional Significance of Rakhi
Auspicious day of Rakhi Purnima is celebrated all over India though under different names and with different set of rituals. In North India, the festival is popularly celebrated as Raksha Bandhan. On this day sisters tie a sacred thread of Rakhi on brother's wrist and pray for his long life. Brothers' bless their sister and present them gifts. Regional names of Rakhi in rest of India include Nariyal Purnima, Avani Avittam and Balev. Read on to know more about these.
Narial Poornima or Coconut Full Moon: The festival of Rakhi is also known as Narial Poornima or Coconut Full Moon. On Mumbai's famous beaches, coconuts are thrown into the sea to propitiate the Sea God, Varuna, who is the chief object of worship on this occasion.
Avani Avittam: Rakhi is called Avani Avittam in South India. This is the time of "upakarmam" and is celebrated in various ways all over South India. It falls on the full-moon day of the month of Shravan (August-September). Rakhi forms an important Hindu festival in South India.
Balev: Rakhi is also commonly known known Balev. This festival has special significance among Brahmins as it is the day on which Brahmins change their sacred thread. On Shravan Sud 15 when the moon is in the constellation of Shravan the Brahmins, while changing their sacred thread, rededicate themselves to study the vedas and pursue spiritual upliftment.
Rakhi Gift Traditions
Gifts are an integral part of Rakhi celebrations. As per Indian tradition, Rakhi gifts are given by elder brothers to the sisters in acceptance of their raksha. They bless their sisters after the thread tying ceremony and give gifts. In the case of younger brothers, it is the sisters who give them gifts along with the Rakhi. The gifts given on Rakhi include sweets, dry fruits or clothes etc.
Of late, it has become customary for the sisters to gift something in return to the brothers, younger or elder. The reason for this change are the ever increasing distances. Rakhi gifts are an extended expression of love and affection that the siblings share.
One of the major changes that has occurred in Indian tradition of Rakhi gifts is that watches are gifted as Rakhis. Wrist watches are long lasting and are a constant reminder to the brothers of their love for their sisters . It is the most readily acceptable replacement among gifts for a Rakhi, as it is tied on the wrist and is useful.
Another recent Rakhi gift tradition are jeweled Rakhis. The bracelet type of Raakhi can be of gold or silver. It could be embedded with precious or semiprecious stones or, it could be a simple cut and carved bracelet. Such Rakhi or Rakhi Gifts are favoured for their durability and of course for the value of the jewels in the Rakhee.
Sweets and chocolates have always been a part of the gifts given on Rakhii. Dry fruits are a convenient alternative and more preferred these days as Rakhi gifts. Pen sets, shirts or tie or a jeweled tie pin are other nice Rakhi gift options.
So, this Raksha Bandhan, gift your brother something he loves. Gift him something that will remind the two of you of the lovely time spent together on Raakhi.
Rakhi Gift Ideas
Raksha Bandhan holds immense significance for brothers and sisters in India and so does Rakhi Gifts. Every year siblings scratch their heads for that bright and brilliant Rakhi Gift Idea. To make that tedious process a bit easy we are presenting some innovative Rakhi Gift Ideas for brothers and amazingly delightful gift ideas for sisters. Some practical tips on Rakhi Gift selection has also been included in the text to help you choose the most perfect and memorable Rakhi Gift for your sibling.
