Rakshabandhan A Connection of Love and Relationships

Brothers and sisters are unique and special pairings. The bond of love between them is indeed noble and the role they play in each other’s lives cannot be replaced by anyone else. They usually share an egalitarian relationship but also take on the role of protector for one another. And because they often grow up together and spend a lot of time with one another, they are quite familiar with each other’s personalities and preferences. Often words are not even needed when it comes to communication between them. The relationship between brothers and sister is so strong that even long periods of separation do not make much of a difference and they remain lifelong friends and well wishers.People have celebrated this wonderful relationship since ages. And in India, the sibling relationship is so revered that people celebrate it with a festival known as Rakshabandhan. The festival epitomizes the love between brothers and sisters and is marked by lots of rejoicing and other celebrations. Raksha Bandhan literally translates as “the bond of love” and the festival is marked by the tying of the sacred thread which is known as Rakhi.  The ritual is observed on the full moon day in the month of August and on this occasion brother visits their sisters who performs an aarti ceremony before him. She then ties the rakhi on his brother’s wrists and the brother in return makes a vow of safeguarding her at all times and also presents her with gifts.

This ritual is a symbolical binding of the already existing ties between brothers and sisters and also reinforces their love and relationship. Rakhi is not exclusive to blood brothers and sisters but it is also practiced beyond the confines of the family. When a Rakhi is tied on the wrists of others, the people thereby becomes honor bound to treat the one who tied the rakhi as their real sisters and protect her at all costs. This promotes kinship and a peaceful social life, where everyone lives with mutual co-operation and harmoniously as brothers and sisters.

Rakshabandhan has seen some gradual changes with the onset of time. Nowadays it is not the brothers alone who give the presents but sisters also give them to their brothers on this occasion. The rakhi itself have undergone a few changes too. Traditionally simple cotton a silk thread, the rakhi is now available in gold and silver threads and in a variety of patterns. Popularly known as Fancy Rakhis, they are easily available online Fancy Rakhi studded with precious stones with beautifully embroidered motifs and patterns are immensely popular among the young generations today.