“You were always my best friend, looking out for me, making sure the path I traveled on was smooth. Even if I searched the world over, there cannot be a better brother than you. Wishing You Life’s Best Always.”
Happy Raksha Bandhan!!
There’s nothing sweeter than quality time with family. Yes, the family that has stood by in spite of all your tantrums. And when it’s the festive season, the love and happiness lose all boundaries. Raksha Bandhan, the festival for every brother and sister relationship, is one of our biggest and widely celebrated festivals, and this year it would be no different. With just months left, the anticipation and excitement already seem to be hitting high.
Raksha Bandhan, which means, ‘the bond of protection’ every year comes during the Shravana month when a full moon appears or on Purnima Day. The festival marks the sweet and joyful relationship of a brother and sister, where during the day of the festival, the sister ties a Rakhi around the brother’s wrists, which is reciprocated by the brother by means of promising to protect her any evil and a gift.
When is Raksha Bandhan 2017?
This year, Raksha Bandhan falls on a Monday, the 7th of August. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, a MONDAY? If you’re fortunate enough, you’ll end up getting an off day. If not, we know you’ll go ahead and use the leave you have accumulated, considering that it is to celebrate the taunting yet the adorable relationship with your sister.
Significance of Raksha Bandhan
The reason behind us Indians celebrating Raksha Bandhan has more to do with keeping the relationship of a brother and sister stronger with each coming year, than the concept of tying a Rakhi. However, it is the Rakhi that symbolizes the bond between the siblings. Why? It is nothing but that the sibling promises to ensure protection to his sister in all the births that she may have. It is to symbolize this very protection that the brother enables the sister to tie the sacred thread (Rakhi) on his wrist. Once a Rakhi is tied, the sister consents the brother with the goal of staying faithful to the responsibility and obligation of protecting from any evil in this life, or the other births. And that’s why the Rakhi stands as a symbol of the connection between the sister and her brother.
The science behind tying a Rakhi
To help you understand this better, here are images that explain the science behind the tradition of wearing a Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan.
When to tie a Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan?
Following the Indian tradition, the best time considered to tie a Rakhi is during Aparahna, late afternoon. If it isn’t possible to follow the Aparahna time, the next best suitable time to tie the Rakhi is Pradosh Time.
Raksha Bandhan Messages
If your sibling is far away from you, it doesn’t mean you don’t celebrate Raksha Bandhan. All you need to do is have a greeting card made by you, and include some of these sweet Raksha Bandhan wishes, along with a Rakhi.
Here are some messages that you can use for your Happy Raksha Bandhan wish greeting card. (Courtesy: http://www.dgreetings.com)
“ This Raksha Bandhan, I pray to God that may our bond of love continue to grow stronger with each passing year.”
“This Rakhi I am far from you but that does not mean I am not near you. You will always be there in my heart. Wishing you a lovely Raksha Bandhan.”
“On this Rakhi, let’s bring back the lively spirit of childhood, play pranks with each other and become those wacky siblings we were always. Happy Raksha Bandhan.”
“You never say no, you never say that’s impossible and you never say you can’t. That’s my bro, a superman who make things possible and who make paths smoother. I love you, Bro.”
“My love for you is measureless. My blessings to you are unlimited. Dear Brother, you will always be my friend, a guide, and a hero. Happy Raksha Bandhan.”
What’s new this year?
While the traditional festival is still followed majorly with the same customs as it was done long ago, the very few things that have indeed changed would be the Rakhi’s and the Gifts in return. Come on Bhaiyon, let the gifts be something more than just chocolate, right Beheno? 😉
