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Posted by Harsh Nevatia Aug 14, 2007 |
Raksha Bandhan, literally meaning the bond of protection, is a Hindu festival that is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the month of Shravana. This year it falls on the 28th of August. Raksha Bandhan is one of the two main festivals that focuses on the relationship between brother and sister, the other being Bhai Dooj.
The simple celebration involves the sister tying a “rakhi” on the brother’s hand and the brother vows to protect his sister from all calamities. The rakhi is a simple sacred thread decorated to add color to the proceedings. The occasion is accompanied with the brother giving a token gift to the sister, who in turn offers him some sweets that she has prepared.
One important aspect of Raksha Bandhan is that it need not be restricted to siblings related by blood. The concept of “rakhi sister” or “rakhi brother” is very common. A girl can tie a rakhi to any boy for whom she has brotherly feelings. This probably has its origins in a historical event. On the death of the King of Chittor, Bahadur Shah the Sultan of Gujarat invaded the Rajput kingdom. Queen Karnawati, the widow of the king, realized that there was no way that she could defend her kingdom. So she sent a rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun, who immediately came to her rescue. A lighter offshoot of this concept is that a girl halts unwelcome advances from a boy by tying a rakhi on his wrist.
Like many Hindu festivals, Raksha Bandhan has also become a victim of pomp and show. The simple rakhis, formerly lovingly made by the sister herself have become designer items purchased at exorbitant prices. Jeweled rakhis are also not uncommon. The token gifts from brothers also have become more than tokens. In fact the entire sacred occasion has become an event for one-upmanship. All this would have been acceptable if the emotions of love and protection still predominated in the hearts of brothers and sisters. Unfortunately one gets the feelings that love and protection are unwanted guests in the display of wealth and pomp.