Rakhi, the Hindu festival truly showcases the beautiful bond of love, affection, and respect between a brother and a sister. Since childhood, brothers and sisters have shared a mutual understanding, trust, and love. They can argue, they can fight, they can even not talk to each other for days. But no one can separate them, none can mistreat their siblings on their watch. If someone does it, then it's over for them, the sweet ‘nok-jhok’ is what makes their relationship strong. The mischief and fun might have just become a memory that comes rushing by like waves crashing. But the day of Rakhi brings every memory back to life hence, the siblings wait eagerly for this day. Every year on the full moon day of the Hindu calendar in the month of Shravana this festival is celebrated wholeheartedly throughout the country. People from every stratum of society actively participate in this beautiful festival with the same vigor and spirit. Rakhi, or Raksha Bandhan, known in some parts of India, literally translates to 'the bond of protection. The celebration of Rakhi has many colors and traditions in the different regions of India and even all over the world. India has always boasted of the saying “Unity in Diversity''. In a multi-cultural land like India, the festival of Raksha Bandhan assumes different names and exudes colorful vibes. Hence, we explore the celebration of this significant festival along with its traditions and sentiments. So, let’s get on a journey to know the Rakhi celebration across India and all over the world better.
With India’s diverse and unique culture, language, and way of life, the rituals performed on Raksha Bandhan may vary from place to place but carry the same essence everywhere. It is a prayer, an earnest wish that a sister utters when she ties this sacred thread of protection to the right-hand wrist of her brother. In turn, the brother also vows to protect his sister all his life. It is this mutual agreement of standing beside each other through the thick and thin of life that adds beauty to this auspicious occasion. Gifting also appeals to be one of the most important issues in celebrating this event. In fact, without the exchange of Rakhi Gifts, we cannot think of celebrating the beautiful festival of Rakhi to our very best. Such is the enigma and charm of Raksha Bandhan that even if siblings are unable to be physically present on a particular day, in the age of globalization they make it a point to send their best wishes through gifting websites. The rakhi gifts express the raw emotions of love and the gesture of sending their love and care is more than anything for the siblings. These traditions and customs display the unbreakable bond that the siblings have and show the significance of the festival in the lives of the siblings.
Every year around July to August, various parts of India celebrate the Rakhi festival with much enthusiasm and distinct hues. In Mathura and Vrindavan of Uttar Pradesh, Mayapur of West Bengal, and Odisha, Rakhi Purnima coincides with the last day of the Jhulan Yatra. In these places, the occasion is also known as Jhulan Yatra. In Kumaon, it is celebrated with Janopunyu, when men change their sacred threads. In the northern part of India, this festival is also well known as Kajri Navami or Kajri Purnima and is celebrated by worshiping Goddess Bhagwati. The festival is even termed Nariyal Purnima in Maharashtra, where coconuts are offered by the fishermen's community to Varuna, the sea god. Jammu & Kashmir is the northernmost state of this country and Rakhi is celebrated here with a great amount of fervor and enthusiasm by flying kites. Hence, we get a reflection of distinct cultures by the way they celebrate the day and understand them better.
With globalization and many Indians staying abroad, the festival has truly become global and is celebrated in many parts of the world. Despite the celebrations happening in multiple foreign countries the core values and the spiritual essence remain the same. The Indian community of the foreign lands come together to celebrate any festival. The best part is that the locals help them to organize and celebrate the festival together. This creates harmony among the people which makes the Indians in the foreign lands feel homely. The West has always found the orientals interesting and in many ways have tried to connect with them. Thus, they celebrate the festival with much enthusiasm. For regions like Europe, the UK, the USA, Australia, Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq Raksha Bandhan is not an unknown festival. Thus, Raksha Bandhan has been able to tie the brother and sister and created a harmonious brotherhood all over the world.
The occasion of Raksha Bandhan can be first traced back to the era of Mahabharata where Draupadi had tied Rakhi on the wrist of Lord Krishna. Time has changed. Now, it is the era of modern technology. With time, the ways and trends of celebrating Raksha Bandhan have changed in various aspects, though the significance of this occasion has remained the same. If something has changed then it is the way some celebrate the festival and the gifts that the brothers shower on their sister expressing their love. In today’s busy world, though the customs of Rakhi in India are the same almost everywhere, changes have taken place in the ways and trends of celebrating Rakhi India.
The most notable change is the trend of sending online Rakhi and Rakhi gifts to India from abroad. Indians living abroad are taking part in this Rakhi celebration by sending rakhi and rakhi gifts to India online. This brilliant idea was first conceived from the emergence of online gifting portals. The Indian diaspora has finally found a way of celebrating Rakhi from miles away with the help of these online gifting services. By availing of this online gifting service, Indians can easily send Rakhi to India from any corner of the globe. Hence, this is where they have to step a little farther from the traditions. But the wrist of their brother's hand is never empty. The distance has only helped to bring these two loving hearts instead of ruining the relationship.
Unlike in the past, now markets are flooded with rakhis in innumerable designs, shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. From zardozi to precious pearls and diamonds, everything is used as a material to create beautiful rakhis. One can find myriad varieties of Rakhi threads in the market which are very popular among the populace. Rakhi with favorite cartoon characters and musical rakhi are mostly hot favorites as kids' rakhis. Floral Rakhi, Zari Rakhi, Beads Rakhi, Silver Rakhi, Rudraksha Rakhi, Stones Rakhi, Zardoshi Rakhi, and Diamond and gold rakhi also sell like hotcakes. The most trending Rakhi are the Eco-friendly ones that can be planted after the festival is over. They are the convertible ones that can be worn as a bracelet or as a pendant the whole year around. Changes have also taken place in gifting trends as well. Earlier clothes, sweets, money, and chocolates used to be the traditional Rakhi gifts. But, today, there are numerous gift ideas for the occasion. Rakhi hampers and Gift cards are also quite popular thoughtful gifts, along with stuff like mobile phones and other electronic appliances. Hence, with time the trends have evolved but the traditional essence and sentiments promise to always remain the same.
Hence, if you are somewhere near these regions then maybe you must be experiencing these different and unique rituals. Even though you are away from home, the feeling of the arriving festival makes you feel excited, doesn't it? This is how heartwarming the festival of Raksha Bandhan is. Now we know how this festival is celebrated almost all over the world with its distinct hues. So, if you are unaware of the Rakhi celebration all over the world now you know how significant it is. Thus, celebrate this wonderful festival and send Rakhi or Rakhi gifts to your beloved siblings and make this year’s Rakhi a grand one.
