Raksha Bhandhan

Rakhi as it is popularly called. The sister ties a thread to her brother who in turn gives her a gift, money. In these commercialized times the thread has given way to Jumbo, fancy, loud Rakhis.

By tying a Rakhi to a man, the women is making him responsible for her safety. Its a commitment from a brother that he would take her care of her, financially, emotionally etc.


The word Raksha has a historical perspective to it. My mind goes back to 1303 when Alauddin Khilji, the Turk Afghan Delhi ruler invaded Chittorgarh ( in Rajasthan ). Rani Padmini, the King's wife sent out Rakhis to the Kings of neighboring states. By doing so she implied their sister was in danger and they should rush their forces to protect her. This could be one of the reason for the festivals popularity.

This festival is more popular in the North. Since most of India's battle with foreign invaders be it Alexander or the Muslims were fought in the North, Raksha or security of women folk was needed more in the North than else where. Rape of women, inevitably followed every military loss.

The festival indicates that women were treated with respect in those times.
Raksha Bhandan is celebrated on the full-moon day in the month of Sravana (July-August). In North India, the occasion is popularly called Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi, the tying of an amulet. On this day, sisters tie an amulet, the Rakhi, around the right wrist of their brothers praying for their long life and happiness. Raksha means protection, and in some places in medieval India, where women felt unsafe, they tied Rakhi round the wrists of men they could count upon, regarding them as brothers. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is similar to Karthikay in Kartika (October-November) in South India.


On this day, sisters offer food to brothers to wish them a long life. The festival is an occassion to strengthen the bond between a brother and a sister. In South India, The Raksha Bandhan full moon day is a household festival for the men, where the sacred thread is ceremoniously changed. Raksha Bandhan is based on an ancient legend. The legend goes that the gods were having a war with the demons. The god Indra got help from his wife. She tied a piece of silk around his wrist to ward off the evil demons. With the silk around his wrist, Indra beat back the devils and got back his home in the heavens. Today, Hindu girls with brothers give them special bracelets woven of silk (called rakhi) on this day.
The rakhi are made of red and gold thread. They are a symbol of the bond between brothers and sisters. When the sisters give their brothers the rakhis, they give them candy to eat as well. The brothers give their sisters little gifts in return.

Narali Purnima

On the full moon day of Shravan, after one or two months of heavy rains and strong winds, the sea becomes calm. On this day boats are allowed to launch into the sea again. But before doing so the sea is worshipped by throwing a coconut (“naral”) into the water. In this way Varun, the god of the water, is worshipped.

The Coconut as “Prasad”
The coconut is a fruit full of symbolism. It is known as “Shriphal”, or “divine fruit”. Within its hard shell it contains food and drink, the two essential elements God has placed in creation for man’s nourishment. The hard shell expresses God’s desire that man should enjoy the fruits of the earth through personal effort.
The coconut is the most common fruit used as an offering to God. The effort needed to break the shell represents the element of sacrifice. The kernel and the water are first offered to God and then shared with all those present, and also taken home to be shared with relatives and neighbours as “prasad”, or food blessed by God.