Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) 2025

Rakhi is an ancient Hindu festival. In 2025, Raksha Bandhan is a public holiday in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. As cited in the first section, the festival of Rakhi celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.

The festival is very famous with several cultures in the country as the concept of duty and love between siblings is universal. On the morning of the festival day, brothers and sisters shall gather together with their families. Sisters tie rakhis (threads) as a symbol of protection.

Rakhis are also used to celebrate other relationships between neighbours and friends.

Raksha Bandhan - A Monsoon Festival

Raksha Bandhan is a monsoon festival, which has a deeper meaning. The rainy season eradicates all the filth and convolutions of life. The season gives us affluence and a new hope to relish life to its fullest. That is why the Shravan month is considered as holy to celebrate the untainted bondage of love between siblings and the advent of good fortune.

Story Behind Raksha Bandhan 

Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi or Rakri, is a joyous festival celebrated by Hindus worldwide to honor the bond of love and responsibility between brothers and sisters. However, the significance of this holiday goes beyond biological relationships, as it brings together people of all genders, religions, and ethnic backgrounds to celebrate various forms of platonic love. 

The term ‘Raksha Bandhan’ translates to ‘the knot of protection’ in Sanskrit. Although the rituals associated with this festival may vary in different regions, they all involve the tying of a thread. The sister or a sister-like figure ties a colorful and sometimes elaborate thread around her brother's wrist, symbolizing her prayers and well-wishes for his protection. In return, the brother presents his sister with a meaningful gift. 

The Origins of Raksha Bandhan can be traced back to ancient times. References to this festival can be found in legends related to Alexander the Great dating back to 326 BCE. Hindu scriptures also contain several accounts of Raksha Bandhan: 

1. One such story involves Sachi, the wife of Indra, tying a thread around Indra's wrist to safeguard him during a battle against the mighty demon King Bali. This tale suggests that holy threads were possibly used as amulets in ancient India, offering protection to men going to war, and not limited solely to the brother-sister relationship. 

1. Another legend from the Bhagavat Puran and Vishnu Puran narrates how after Vishnu defeats King Bali and conquers the three worlds, King Bali requests Vishnu to live in his palace. Vishnu's wife, Goddess Lakshmi, disapproves of this arrangement and ties a Rakhi on King Bali, making him her brother. Touched by this gesture, King Bali grants her a wish, and Lakshmi asks for Vishnu's return home. 
2. In another story, Ganesh's sister, Devi Manasa, visits him on Raksha Bandhan and ties a Rakhi on his wrist. This inspires Ganesh's sons, Shubh and Labh, who desire to participate in the Raksha Bandhan celebration but feel left out without a sister. They persuade Ganesh to grant them a sister, leading to the creation of Santoshi Maa. From then on, the three siblings celebrate Raksha Bandhan together each year. 
3. Krishna and Draupadi, known for their strong friendship, share a significant moment during Raksha Bandhan. When Krishna injures his finger in battle, Draupadi tears a piece of her sari to bandage his wound. Touched by her act of love, Krishna promises to repay her kindness. Later, Krishna fulfills his promise by coming to Draupadi's aid during a critical moment. 
4. Additionally, in the epic Mahabharat, Draupadi ties Rakhi to Krishna before he leaves to fight in the great war. Similarly, Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, ties a Rakhi to her grandson Abhimanyu before he embarks on his own battle. 

These stories highlight the rich cultural significance and diverse narratives associated with Raksha Bandhan, showcasing the deep bonds of love and protection that exist beyond biological relationships.

Importance of Raksha Bandhan for Farmers

For the farmer community of various regions of India, the ceremony of Shravani conducted on the day of Rakhi Purnima has special significance. A better harvesting season relies on affluent rainwater. The monsoon is the best time to receive adequate water for farming activities. Therefore, the farmers of the states such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand adore soil for its fruitfulness. The same celebration is observed during Rakhi holiday 2025.

Importance of Raksha Bandhan for Fishers

The festival of Raksha Bandhan has greater importance as far as the fishing community of the country is concerned. States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Goa observe the celebration of the festival of Rakhi via various rites. The fishing community wholly relies on the sea for their livelihood. The sea water and fish are positively affected by the monsoon season. Therefore, the festivity of Nariyal Purnima is an effort to please God Varuna.

Rakhi Purnima - A Beginning of New Life

The monsoon season also denotes destructions. It completely eliminates unnecessary aspects from nature and indicates the beginning of a new life. Rakhi Purnima is majorly celebrated in the Indian state of Gujarat.

How is Raksha Bandhan Date Calculated Each Year?

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated based on the Hindu calendar, not the regular (Gregorian) calendar. The date changes every year because it falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Shravana month, which usually comes in July or August.

Here’s how the date is decided:

1. The festival is held on the full moon day in the month of Shravana.
2. It is important to avoid an inauspicious time called Bhadra. So, the Rakhi is tied during the Shubh Muhurat, which is the best time of the day.
3. Hindu priests or Panchang (astrological calendar) are used to find the exact date and time.

For example, in 2025, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on 9th August 2025 because that’s the day of the full moon in the month of Shravana.

Rakhi - A Celebration of Change

The rainy season of monsoon also denotes change, which is needed to pave the way for a new one. Therefore, the community of Brahmins in Orissa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu observe the day of Shravan Purnima as Upakaram.

Note: Rakhi holiday 2025 or Raksha Bandhan holiday 2025 is a completely customised holiday page, which gives deep insights into the festival. The objective of the page is to provide the much-needed information about the festival.

Pooja Vidhi of Raksha Bandhan 

India celebrates Raksha Bandhan, an auspicious event, which includes a crucial rite called the "pooja vidhi." A tiny pooja thali filled with a diya (oil light), roli (vermillion powder), rice, sweets, and Rakhi is prepared before the pooja vidhi ever starts. Sisters do an Aarti in front of their brothers while waving the lamp in a circular manner and dotting their foreheads with roli. After that, they pray for the brother's health and success as they fasten the Rakhi around his wrist. In exchange, brothers offer their sisters gifts as a sign of their affection and a pledge to shield them from all harm. The pooja vidhi fosters a spiritual environment that deepens the sibling bond and emphasises the significance of Raksha Bandhan 2025 as a holiday dedicated to love and protection. 

Raksha Bandhan Celebrations Across India 

During this occasion, a sister adorns her brother's forehead with a tilak, performs aarti, and secures a Rakhi onto his wrist, symbolising their profound connection. In reciprocity, the brother presents special tokens to his sister, coupled with a commitment to safeguard and support her through all circumstances. 

Within the Rajasthani and Marwari societies, a distinctive tradition prevails – the tying of a 'Lumba Rakhi' onto the bangle of the brother's spouse. This practice stems from the belief that as the wife represents the partner in matrimony, the ceremony remains incomplete without her involvement. Furthermore, she shares the responsibility of ensuring the sister's well-being on par with her husband. This custom is gradually gaining traction in various other Indian communities as well. 

Raksha Bandhan Ritual Process 

Raksha Bandhan, a revered festivity cherished in India, encompasses a significant ceremonial practice referred to as the 'pooja vidhi'. The pooja vidhi unfolds with the arrangement of a modest pooja thali, which houses an oil lamp (diya), vermilion powder (roli), grains of rice, sweets, and rakhi. Sisters initiate the ritual by conducting an Aarti, gently waving the lamp in circular motions before their brothers and adorning their foreheads with a tilak of roli. Following this, they delicately tie the rakhi around their brothers' wrists, offering heartfelt prayers for their prosperity and well-being. In return, brothers present gifts to their sisters, symbolizing their affection and pledging to safeguard them against all challenges. The pooja vidhi establishes a spiritual ambience, fortifying the sibling bond and underlining the profound significance of Raksha Bandhan 2025 as a jubilation of love and guardianship.

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