Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan — literally the bond of protection — is a Hindu festival celebrating the loving bond between brothers and sisters and, by extension, the protective relationship between any two people who choose to formalize a sibling-like commitment. The festival falls on the full moon day (purnima) of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana (typically July or August). The central ritual is the tying of the rakhi — a sacred thread, ranging from a simple cotton string to elaborate beaded ornaments — by a sister around her brother's right wrist, accompanied by the sister's prayer for her brother's health and longevity, and the brother's reciprocal vow to protect his sister throughout life and a token gift of money or sweets.

The morning begins with the ritual bath, the wearing of fresh traditional clothing, and the preparation of an aarti thali containing the rakhi, kumkum vermillion powder, akshat unbroken rice grains, a small lit diya, and traditional sweets. The sister applies a tilak of kumkum to the brother's forehead, performs aarti by circling the lit diya before his face, ties the rakhi while reciting the Raksha Bandhan mantra, and feeds him a sweet by hand. The brother gives a gift in return — historically a coin, today often money or a thoughtful present. Families gather for an elaborate festive lunch featuring kheer, halwa, puris, and regional sweets such as ghevar in Rajasthan and ladoo across northern India.

Rajasthan and Haryana observe a unique extension where sisters tie rakhis on the wrists of village priests and even on the wrists of household tools and instruments. Maharashtra combines Raksha Bandhan with Narali Purnima, when the fishing community offers coconuts to the sea god Varuna for safe fishing in the upcoming season. Odisha's Gamha Purnima includes the worship of cattle and decorated cows being paraded through villages. The day is also observed as Avani Avittam by Brahmins of South India, who change their sacred yagnopaveetham thread. Sikh and Jain families also observe Raksha Bandhan, and Indian armed forces women's organizations tie rakhis on soldiers as a national gesture of solidarity.