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Raksha Bandhan
What does Raksha Bandhan celebrate?
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the love and relationships between brothers and sisters.
When is it celebrated?
This day is celebrated on the full moon day during the Hindu month of Shravan. In the year 2012 this is August 2nd.
Who celebrates this day?
The day is mostly celebrated in India and by people of the Hindu faith.
What do people do to celebrate?
The main custom of Raksha Bandhan is the giving of a bracelet of woven threads called a rakhi. The rakhi is traditionally given to a brother from his sister. It represents the sister's promise to pray for her brother and the brother's vow to protect his sister. The brother and sister will often exchange gifts as well with sister typically providing some sweets to eat and the brother giving money.
Today, people other than brothers and sisters will participate. Sometimes the ceremony is shared by close friends, cousins, priests, and soldiers.
History of Raksha Bandhan
There are many stories and tales about the Rakhi in Hindu and Indian history. It became popular in the 1500s after a widowed queen named Rani Karnavati sent a Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor asking for help in defending her city. After this event, sisters would offer a Rakhi to their brothers as a reminder that they should protect their sisters from foreign invaders.
Fun Facts About Raksha Bandhan
- The word Raksha means protection. The brother promises to protect his sister.
- The word Bandhan means "to tie" or "bond". The sister ties the rakhi around her brother's wrist.
- It is thought that the protection offered by the rakhi lasts for one year. So the festival and ceremony must be repeated each year.
- Sometimes the rakhis are decorated with colored threads and even colored beads and stones.
- Sisters can buy the rakhi or make their own from thread and crafts.
Other Dates
- August 2, 2012
- August 21, 2013
- August 10, 2014
- August 29, 2015
- August 18, 2016
- August 7, 2017
- August 26, 2018
August Holidays
Friendship Day
Raksha Bandhan
Women's Equality Day
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