Origin of Rakhi Festival, can you help me?

Question

And why and when we celebrate this?

Answer 1

Rakhi or Rakshabandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan month according to the Hindu calendar.

On this day people who wear the sacred thread (yagyopaveetam), perform the shravani karm wherein they replace the old yagyopaveetam with a new one after performing the gayatri pooja and sandhyas.

On this day Priests and Bramhins tie the mauli (raksha sutra) on the wrists of their 'yajamaans' (people who come to them for poojas and other consultations), blessing them and praying for their well being and also as a symbol of their dependence on the yajamaans, who in turn vowed to look after the needs of and protect the priests and brahmins. Its noteworthy to mention here that priests and brahmins are supposed to be the keepers of the traditional wisdom and knowledge.

Also on this day sisters tie 'Rakhi' (decorative silk thread) on the wrists of their brothers wishing them luck and protection from all ills and evils. Brothers in turn vow to protect and care for their sisters.

It is a festival celebrating the Bro-Sis relationship which transcends blood bonds and in a way acknowledges the special bond they share as siblings, as rakhi-bro or rakhi-sis, as friends, and as a family.

Historically, during times of need, there have been many episodes where a distressed lady has sent out 'rakhis' to her brothers asking for their help and the brothers blood related or otherwise have always come to the rescue their beloved sisters. This bond in the beautiful land of India and now abroad too has trancended the barries of caste adn religions and has often helped people even from warring communities to come together and help each other out.

Hindu religion wise Rakhi is a festival to perform the Shravani pooja, Traditionally it is a festival of wishing good luck and protection for all evils, and celebrating the spirit of brother-sister bonds. Lately it is also a day when siblings, who are scattered around the globe due to their careers and families, to connect and bond.

Rakhi is another beautiful page in the colorful collage that is India.

Thanks

Answer 2

In the Vedic period, on a 'Shravan Poornima' day (Full Moon Day of the Hindu month of Shravan), the deities and the demons were fighting a battle against each other. Unfortunately the demons were in a stronger position as compared to the deities. The king of the deities, Lord Indra, was very much worried about the result of the battle. His wife Indrani (also known as Shashikala) could not see him worried and prayed to the almighty. Indrani was a religious lady so she prepared a Talisman with her religious power and tied it around Indra's right wrist. She believed that this Talisman will safeguard Indra from the attack made by the demons. She was actually right about her belief as that day the deities won the battle and Lord Indra escaped unhurt.

As this Talisman had the power of protecting the one who holds it therefore it was called 'Raksha Sutra' and the ceremony of tying the Talisman was called 'Raksha Bandhan'. And since this ceremony took place on 'Shravan Poornima' day therefore it has become a tradition to celebrate 'Raksha Bandhan' on the 'Shravan Poornima' day every year.

Another incident is the one that concerns Krishna and Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. She had torn a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist to stop the flow of blood Krishna was so touched by her action that he found himself bound to her by love.

With time the ways of celebrating Rakhi festival has also changed. Since the ancient time that is the Vedic period in the Indian history the Rakhi has been a symbol of seeking help or protection from the powerful ones by the weaker ones. The festival was never confined to the siblings' relationship only as it is generally believed to be. In due course of time the moods of this festival's celebrations have changed a lot but the basic idea of 'a bond of protection' has remained unchanged. Even in the modern times the Rakhi festival is beyond the factors such as caste systems, race systems, religious issues, haves and have-nots differences and even national boundaries. For instance the people from allover the country either personally tie the Rakhi or send it through postal services, to the soldiers, Prime-Minister and the President. It is the spirit of Indians that this festival is celebrated throughout India in a joyous ambient.

This year it falls on 28th August 2007.

Answer 3

The origin of the festival is mostly attributed to one of following mythological incidents:

1. Indra's fight with Vritra - Indra, the king of devtas (gods), had lost his kingdom to the asura (demon) Vritra. At the behest of his Guru Brihaspati, Indra's wife Sachi[citation needed] tied a thread around her husband's wrist to ensure his victory in the upcoming duel.

2. Draupadi and Krishna during the Rajsuya yagya - After Shishupal's death, Krishna was left with a bleeding finger. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, had torn a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist to staunch the flow of blood. Touched by her concern, Krishna had declared himself bound to her by her love. He further promised to repay the debt manifold. Many years later when Draupudi was about to be shamed by being disrobed in front of the whole court by her evil brother-in-law Duryodhana, she called on Krishna to help her, and he did by divinely elongating her sari so it could not be removed.

Raksha Bandhan (the bond of protection in Hindi) or Rakhi (राखी in Devanāgarī) is a Hindu festival and also Sikh festival, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana and in 2007 it falls on August 28.

The festival is marked by the tying of a rakhi, or holy thread by the sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her. The brother and sister traditionally feed each other sweets. It is still celebrated today, and the brother and sister have to treat each other well for the day.

It is not necessary that the rakhi can be given only to a brother by birth; any male can be "adopted" as a brother by tying a rakhi on the person, that is "blood brothers and sisters", whether they are cousins or a good friend. Indian history is replete with women asking for protection, through rakhi, from men who were neither their brothers, nor Hindus themselves. Rani Karnavati of Chittor sent a rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun when she was threatened by Bahadur Shah of Mewar. Humayun abandoned an ongoing military campaign to ride to her rescue.

The rakhi may also be tied on other special occasions to show solidarity and kinship (not necessarily only among brothers and sisters), as was done during the Indian independence movement.

Answer 4

The origin of the festival is mostly attributed to one of following mythological incidents:

1. Indra's fight with Vritra - Indra, the king of devtas (gods), had lost his kingdom to the asura (demon) Vritra. At the behest of his Guru Brihaspati, Indra's wife Sachi tied a thread around her husband's wrist to ensure his victory in the upcoming duel.

2. Draupadi and Krishna during the Rajsuya yagya - After Shishupal's death, Krishna was left with a bleeding finger. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, had torn a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist to staunch the flow of blood. Touched by her concern, Krishna had declared himself bound to her by her love. He further promised to repay the debt manifold. Many years later when Draupudi was about to be shamed by being disrobed in front of the whole court by her evil brother-in-law Duryodhana, she called on Krishna to help her, and he did by divinely elongating her sari so it could not be removed.

3.King Bali and Goddess Laxmi

According to another legend the 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 Lakshmi 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, Lakshmi 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.

Yama and the Yamuna

According to another legend, Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) and his sister Yamuna. Yamuna tied rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. Yama was so moved by the serenity of the occasion that he declared that whoever gets a rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection will become immortal.

Raksha Bandhan (the bond of protection in Hindi) or Rakhi is a Hindu festival and also Sikh festival, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana and in 2007 it falls on August 28.-

Answer 5

Raki festival is for enjoying brotherhood and sisterhood relationship. Its origin is from Vrindhavan( Land were Krishna dwelled)
It is way of expressing that I will protect u and u will protect me.

Leela goes like this once Krishna was bathing in a river with his pals. His pals played a trick on him by taking away his garments and running away with it.

At that moment Arjuna with is wife Drupadi came there. Seeing Krishna in water they and understanding the situation, Arjuna offered to run and catch them. But Drupadi told not to and she tore of a part of her saree and gave it to Krishna.

He came out of water and thanked Draupadi for gaurding his honour.

A time and hour came when Krishna had save Draupadis honour at the Kauravas dice ground.

From that tie up Raki festival came and thus a wonderful way of showing affection, protection to eachother was born.

An altered modern version of this is the friendship bands.

Answer 6

You will be surprised to know that the present time is the origin of rakhi.Today when the immorality&impurity in our actions is at its peak,God comes down here to take a promise from his lovely devoted children to remain pure in this remaining part of birth as this is the time to change the whole world&establish a new, pure,healthy,wealthy,honest world.As we know that whatever we get today ,it is the outcome of our past deeds&whatever we will do today as we will get in future.So the persons having good ,morally strong resolves(habits) can only enter in that new pure world.This is a natural cycle which repeats after every 5000 years.In the beggining of the pure world there was no trouble,with respect to time in due course some impurity is introduced in life of the people&a time is reached when the vision of the people gets spoiled,due to introduction of lust,some leaders take the initiative to bind the people in bond of purity/protection.After some time when the people forget the importance of the purity,in the last stage of kaliyuga again the God appears to perform his invaluable job.Plz. contact Prajapita Brihmakumari's centre of your city for details.

Answer 7

Be prepared with cash and sweets.
I will be there to tie your hands together.