India is a country of festivals. It is culturally so rich that it celebrates a festival almost every month. The people of India are so lively that they find a reason or other for celebrations. One such reason is the sweet and sour relationship between a brother and a sister. Though brothers and sisters share and enjoy the bond of love between them throughout the year but Rakhi is the day when they get an opportunity to express their tender love and feelings towards each other. The Rakhi is an opportunity for them to commemorate their loving memories, loyality, closeness, trust and friendship that is lasting and true.

The time of the year which keeps all girls waiting....The time when girls are busy preparing for the big event - the event of Rakhi.

The literal meaning of the phrase Raksha Bandhan is the ‘the bond of protection’. Sisters tie a Rakhi around their brother’s wrist. While tying the Rakhi, the girls chant: ‘Yena baddho balee raja daanevandro mahaabalaa tena twaan anubadhnaanvi rakshe maa chala maa chala’. It means, ‘I am tying a Rakhi on you, like the one on mighty demon king Bali. Be firm, O Rakhi, don’t falter.’ This holds mythological relevance in the Hindu religion. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her. The festival is typically an occasion for celebration by the whole family. In Indian tradition, the fragile thread of Rakhi is considered even stronger than an iron chain as it strongly binds brothers and sisters in the circumference of mutual love and trust.

As far as the traditions and rituals are concerned, sisters prepare the “pooja thali” with diyas, roli, chawal and rakhis. They worship the goddesses, ties rakhi’s on the wrists of their brother(s), and wishes for their well being. On the other hand, the brothers acknowledge their love with a promise that they will remain by their sisters’ side and protect them from every fall and down throughout the life. Brothers also give token gifts to their sisters.

Priyanka Negi, quips,

I really wait for this occasion. My brother always presents me with great surprises. I enjoy the festival.

For some it is saddening too with their brothers far apart. Supriya Behl says,

I am married and it’s not possible for me and my brother to meet for the festival as his work is highly demanding but I every year post a Rakhi to him.

Taking you on a ride, to make you taste the flavour of the season Rakhi - the overloaded markets, sisters buying Rakhi’s, sweets and gifts for their dear brothers. The shops so crowded that even stepping into a shop seems Mission Impossible!

The essence of the festival Rakhi - the Rakhi, it too has also kept up with time and technology. One can now find Rakhi designs ranging from simple threads, sandalwood scented multi- colour bands or even electronic gadgets.

This year there were different genres of Rakhi’s that had captured the shops. For instance, Rakhi’s of famous actors or superheroes such as the Krrish Rakhi’s, backing a great demand respective to the younger section. Even Rakhi’s relating to television cartoons were found such as the adventure series, Pokemon, Spider man, Mickey Mouse, etc. The other sets of Rakhi’s available comprised of the usual ones - simple threads or threads with mirror work or with work of beads, some embedded with godly images like - Ganesha. This year there has been observed a mushrooming trend in gold and silver Rakhi’s. A sister buying Rakhi is prone to confusion while selecting the best Rakhi for their brothers, as so many assortments rules the market.

A retailer by profession, Ram Prasad says,

The variety is very vast, as compared to the previous years. We have very affordable rakhi’s as well as quite costly ones too. It depends on the customers which one they select for their brothers.

The Rakhi’s called ‘Lumba’ which only married women can wear were also available in the markets. This trend has made its place in Delhi too. Glancing through the past few years, people were even not aware of it, but this year large array is available.

The festival of Rakhi does not only pertain to the Rakhi’s, but there is more to it.... The sweets.... The colourful sweets serve a feast to the eyes. The mouth watering kaju- katli, the tempting gulab jamuns, rasgula’s, jalebi’s, saviyan, milk cake, burfee, ladoo, imarti are among the various sweets available for the Rakhi season.

The sisters are seen preparing themselves one or two days prior. Mehendi Stalls are generally mobbed with customers getting their hands decorated or on the move to the market - shopping and buying new clothes.

Though in the current age, the ‘Raksha’ part of the festival Rakhi is practically lost, it still remains a popular festival promoting love and bonding between siblings. Young girls especially look forward to this festival as an occasion for receiving gifts, while adults take this opportunity to remember their siblings who are becoming more and more physically separated by distance.

Image Credit: [1], [2]