The relationship between the siblings is very deep and touching. However, the bonding between brother and sister is simply unique and beyond words. The relationship of brothers and sisters is grandly celebrated in India.

The celebration of bondage between brother and sister has turned into festivals and celebration in India. RAKSHA BANDHAN is a Hindu festival which is celebrated primarily in India and surrounding and neighboring countries. Indian diaspora is spread width and length globally as the celebration now around the world.

RAKSHA denotes protection and BANDHAN means a tie. The RAKSHA BANDHAN is a festival where sisters tie the thread to the wrist of brother and brothers assure protection to the sister with great love. Earlier this festival was celebrated in blood relationship however history shows that the festival is also celebrated amongst sisters and sister in law, cousins and so on.

RELIGIOUS IN INDIA AND IMPORTANT OF RAKSHA BANDHAN

Primarily Hindu, Jain, and Sikh celebrate RAKSHA BANDHAN in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Mauritius. The thread which is tied is called RAKHI. So Sikhs observed this festival as RAKHARI or RAKHARDI.

In modern days all the communities celebrate RAKSHA BANDHAN and different and different attractive RAKHIS have come in the market.

GENESIS OF RAKSHA BANDHAN

The genesis of RAKSHA BANDHAN lies in centuries before. There are several stories related to this festival. Hindu history narrates many stories few of them are;

• King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi- As per an account of Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana, when Lord Vishnu won the three worlds from the demon King Bali, he asked by the demon king to stay beside him in the palace. The Lord accepted the requested and started living with the demon king. However, Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu wanted to return to his native place of Vaikuntha. So, she tied the RAKHI around the wrist of a demon king, Bali and made him a brother. On asking about the return gift, Goddess Lakshmi asked Bali to free her husband from the vow and let him return to Vaikuntha. Bali agreed to the request and Lord Vishnu returned to his place with his wife, Goddess Lakshmi.

• Krishna and Draupadi- Based on an account of Mahabharat, Draupadi, and wife of Pandavas tied a RAKHI to Lord Krishna while Kunti tied the RAKHI to grandson Abhimanyu before the epic war.

WHY RAKSHA BANDHAN?

RAKSHA BANDHAN is a symbol of bondage between brothers and sisters. The occasion can be celebrated between men and women as brothers and sisters whether or not biologically related. The festival casts an obligation on the brother to see that their sisters are always protected