Celebrating Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Shravan (August) according to the Hindu calendar because of which this festival is also known as Shravan Purnima. On the occasion of Rakhi, the bond of affection existing between brothers and sisters is reaffirmed.

Raksha Bandhan in East India

Due to the huge variation in the multi lingual culture of India, celebration of a particular festival has taken their own forms and manifestations. In the parts of West Bengal and Odisha, the occasion is known as Jhulan Purnima where Lord Krishna and Radha are worshipped by people on this day. Sisters then tie beautiful rakhi on the wrist of their brothers and wish for their good health. There is a mood of cheerfulness and joy all around the cities where people belonging to multiple spectrum like political parties, offices, friends, schools, colleges, common residents, high class people and others actively participate in the occasion.

Further, the "Rakhi Utsava" is quite popular in Shanti Niketan which was the institute founded by the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore where the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm to promote universal brotherhood.

Raksha Bandhan in South India

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in Maharashtra and other coastal areas in the form of Naarali Poornima where sea is worshipped by the people. The fishermen community throw coconuts into the sea as offerings to sea. Furthermore, people consume coconut based sweets and dishes that are cooked in every household. Later part of the celebrations are commenced after worshipping the sea.

In other southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the occasion is celebrated as Avani Avittam that falls on the full moon night during the month of Shravan. The festival is mainly for all the male members of the family. Brahmins on this day take a dip in the water and ask atonement from all their past sins. After the conclusion of the ritual, the holy thread or the "janau" that is worn across the body is changed with a new thread. They also make resolution about performing the good deeds during this "thread changing" ceremony. Scholars also recommend the reading of "Yajur Veda" which is continued for the next 6 months.

Raksha Bandhan in West India

In the western states like Gujarat, the festival of "Pavitropana" is celebrated alongside the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Women worship the Lord Shiva by pouring water and placing offerings on the Shivlinga. They visit the temples on this day and ask forgiveness for their past sins.

Raksha Bandhan in Central India

In these regions, the occasion is celebrated in the name of "Kajari Purnima" which is a festival of farmers and mothers. On this day, farmers worship their land whereas mothers perform the special pooja with their sons. The celebration for the event starts a week before the main occasion. The wives of the farmers go to their fields and collect some soil from their fields in leaves.

This soil is then planted with barley seeds and is kept in the portion of the house which is well scrubbed and decorated. After the completion of 7 days, the put is taken out and submerged in a well or river by the women alongside the prayer that asks for the longevity of their sons.

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