Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi)

somnath · Aug 8th, 2006, 14:41

Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) August 09, 2006

Raksha bandhan (the bond of protection in Hindi) or Rakhi is a Hindu festival which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi (a holy thread) around their brothers' wrists. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her. This festival is typically an occasion for celebration by the whole family.
It is not necessary that the rakhi can be given only to a blood brother - any male can be "adopted" as a brother by tying a rakhi on the person. Indian history is replete with women asking for protection, through rakhi, from men who were neither their brothers, nor Hindus themselves. Rani Karnavati of Chittor sent a rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun when she was threatened by Bahadur Shah of Mewar. Humayun abandoned an ongoing military campaign to ride to her rescue.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana. In 2006 it falls on the 9th of August.
The rakhi may also be tied on other special occasions to show solidarity and kinship (not necessarily only among brothers and sisters), as was done during the Indian independence movement.

Origins:
The origin of the festival is mostly attributed to one of following mythological incidents:
Read here…… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakhi

And to know here rakhis are made please visit this link : http://specials.rediff.com/news/2006/aug/07sld1.htm

But it is not a perfect day for street Romeos :

Nick-H · Aug 8th, 2006, 15:13

But it is not a perfect day for street Romeos

Not a welcome gift from a lady you hoped might regard you as something different to a brother!

batistuta · Aug 8th, 2006, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

But it is not a perfect day for street Romeos

Not a welcome gift from a lady you hoped might regard you as something different to a brother!

I agree Nick,it happend to me in school ,a girl i fancied walked
upto me and tied the rakhi and called me her brother.
Ouch!!!!
She never knw i fancied her so maybe some misunderstanding .

batistuta · Aug 8th, 2006, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckywoman

Nice story Somnath.

For this purpose Valentine's day is perfect

I could not think of asking a girl out who called me brother
few months earlier.

mk26in · Aug 8th, 2006, 18:08

Things are changing rapidly here, few girls would like to be called sister nowdays (other than real ones). It was opposite some 10-15 years back.

somnath · Aug 8th, 2006, 18:54

hmmmmm……. just now I’ve received a forwarded mail (with a request to forward to all your friends) which says “take a leave tomorrow and do not come to office, to avoid the problem; else……………….”

theyyamdancer · Jul 24th, 2008, 18:34

Fascinating thread! (Joke intended.)

I have seen people wearing those on their wrists but had not understood the significance.

Another of those "only in India" customs? Or is there something similar elsewhere in the world? I am curious, anthropologically speaking. Do all castes in India tie threads on their siblings?

Gametotravel · Jul 24th, 2008, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by theyyamdancer

Fascinating thread! (Joke intended.)

I have seen people wearing those on their wrists but had not understood the significance.

Another of those "only in India" customs? Or is there something similar elsewhere in the world? I am curious, anthropologically speaking. Do all castes in India tie threads on their siblings?

All over India apart from the South of India; that is where the buck stops! The same holds for Holi!

Amazing diversity no?

puchoo · Jul 24th, 2008, 18:50

Oh dear, this thread just reminded me of it....4 cousin sisters...thats going to be a dent in the wallet..

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 24th, 2008, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by puchoo

Oh dear, this thread just reminded me of it....4 sisters...thats going to be a dent in the wallet..

And a few inches to the waist..what will all those sweets.

puchoo · Jul 24th, 2008, 19:03

I know...jalebi's, kajoo ki barfi , chocolate barfi , chocolates.. oh god!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

And a few inches to the waist..what will all those sweets.

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 24th, 2008, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by puchoo

I know...jalebi's, kajoo ki barfi , chocolate barfi , chocolates.. oh god!!

" Oh God !! " like..are you cursing or are you thanking ?

PS : I do not have any sister, so my honors are done by my Bua and cousin sisters. And my Bua lives in Sitaram Bazar in the walled city. Now let your imagination run wild with the kind of things I get to eat on festivals, all picked from choicest of vendors from most unknown streets of the old Delhi.

puchoo · Jul 24th, 2008, 19:04

A bit of both....!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

" Oh God !! " like..are you cursing or are you thanking ?

Gametotravel · Jul 24th, 2008, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

" Oh God !! " like..are you cursing or are you thanking ?

PS : I do not have any sister, so my honors are done by my Bua and cousin sisters. And my Bua lives in Sitaram Bazar in the walled city. Now let your imagination run wild with the kind of things I get to eat on festivals, all picked from choicest of vendors from most unknown streets of the old Delhi.

How much do you have to shell out for the treats? You know what I mean; to your sisters?

puchoo · Jul 24th, 2008, 19:15

Its really all upto you (thats what we hope every year)...u can give cash, or you can buy them something..it truly is supposed to be 'the thought that counts'...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gametotravel

How much do you have to shell out for the treats? You know what I mean; to your sisters?

Aug 8th, 2006, 14:41	#1
somnath Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calcutta Posts: 2,545	Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) August 09, 2006 Raksha bandhan (the bond of protection in Hindi) or Rakhi is a Hindu festival which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi (a holy thread) around their brothers' wrists. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her. This festival is typically an occasion for celebration by the whole family. It is not necessary that the rakhi can be given only to a blood brother - any male can be "adopted" as a brother by tying a rakhi on the person. Indian history is replete with women asking for protection, through rakhi, from men who were neither their brothers, nor Hindus themselves. Rani Karnavati of Chittor sent a rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun when she was threatened by Bahadur Shah of Mewar. Humayun abandoned an ongoing military campaign to ride to her rescue. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana. In 2006 it falls on the 9th of August. The rakhi may also be tied on other special occasions to show solidarity and kinship (not necessarily only among brothers and sisters), as was done during the Indian independence movement. Origins: The origin of the festival is mostly attributed to one of following mythological incidents: Read here…… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakhi And to know here rakhis are made please visit this link : http://specials.rediff.com/news/2006/aug/07sld1.htm But it is not a perfect day for street Romeos : Attached Thumbnails __________________ Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow. My Travel Pix...1 My Travel Pix...2 My Travel Pix...3

Aug 8th, 2006, 18:08	#5
mk26in _______________ Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 219	Things are changing rapidly here, few girls would like to be called sister nowdays (other than real ones). It was opposite some 10-15 years back. __________________ Himachal Pics My Pictures

Aug 8th, 2006, 18:54	#6
somnath Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calcutta Posts: 2,545	hmmmmm……. just now I’ve received a forwarded mail (with a request to forward to all your friends) which says “take a leave tomorrow and do not come to office, to avoid the problem; else……………….” Attached Thumbnails

Jul 24th, 2008, 18:50	#9
puchoo Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi & Himachal Pradesh (Shimla) Posts: 5,411	Oh dear, this thread just reminded me of it....4 cousin sisters...thats going to be a dent in the wallet.. __________________ Cheers! Indiamike Mod team............ puchoo.wordpress.com

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Aug 8th, 2006, 15:13	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	But it is not a perfect day for street Romeos Not a welcome gift from a lady you hoped might regard you as something different to a brother!

Jul 24th, 2008, 18:34	#7
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	Fascinating thread! (Joke intended.) I have seen people wearing those on their wrists but had not understood the significance. Another of those "only in India" customs? Or is there something similar elsewhere in the world? I am curious, anthropologically speaking. Do all castes in India tie threads on their siblings?

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