Around mid-August Hindus all over the world celebrate ‘Raksha Bandhan’. Raksha means protection and Bandhan means bond or binding.
In ancient times a woman tied a “Raksha” on the husband’s wrist to protect him from evil. Gradually this changed and she tied Raksha to her brother’s right wrist to protect from evils influence and those factors which may taint his characters and to strengthen the bond of sibling love between them. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan she visits her brother’s home and perform Puja by applying kumkum and rice grains on his forehead. In return the brother gives her a gift and vows to protect her too. The sacred thread for rakshaa bandhan itself ranges from a coloured cotton string to exquisitely decorated balls of various sizes and materials such as fluffy cotton, ‘zari’ paper, tinsel, beads and so on.
The festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on Purnima(full moon) of Shravan Maas. This festival is a symbol of unbreakable bond between brother and sister. It is the only festival in the Indian tradition, which makes all social relations strong in addition to the bond of brother and sister. Hence, this festival holds a cultural and social importance.
To understand the significance of Raksha Bandhan, first of all we will need to understand its meaning. “Rakshabandhan” is made out of two words Raksha + Bandhan. That means, a bond which take the promise of safety. This day, brother make a promise of taking over sister’s obligation.
Speciality of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is specially the festival of feeling and sentiments. A bond which ties two people with a thread of love. Bond of Raksha Bandhan has crossed the restriction of only brother and sister. Now Rakhi is also tied between Guru and his disciple, two brothers, two sisters, two friends or parents and child.
In today’s perspective, Raksha Bandhan is not just accepting the relationship of sister. But, the person who get the Rakhi tied on his wrist needs to accept his responsibilities. And should try to maintain the relationship with full dedication.
Raksha Bandhan in Today’s Context
In present society, the social issues coming in front of us can be removed with the help of festival of Raksha Bandhan. When we see old parents roaming in search of old age homes, then a question mark is put on our development and growth. The solution of this problem can be tying of Rakhi to parents, and children taking the responsibilities of completing their duty towards their parents. This way an important problem of society can be solved.
Hence, festival of Raksha Bandhan should not be restricted to brother and sister, instead we need to expand the scope of our ideas and understand its significance in today’s contexts. In brief it is a festival of making relationships stronger with a bond of affinity and love. This bonding gives Indian tradition a different recognition from others.
Modern Significance of Raksha Bandhan
Today with time, there has been no lack in auspiciousness of festival. Whereas, its importance has increased. Now-a-days in nuclear families, only two sisters or brothers are mostly found in a family.In such a situation, they don’t understand how to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan. Who will tie Rakhi to them, or to whom the girls shall tie Rakhi. This kind of scene can be seen commonly in our nearby areas.
It is not that only the relationship of brother and sister needs Rakhi or strengthening. Tying of Rakhi between two brothers or two sisters, bring them close to each other. It removes the differences between them. In the modern era, lack of time has brought a different kind of distance between relationships. People don’t have time for each other, hence, family members are not able to talk or sit together. Lack of communication, raises differences. And, misunderstandings get the position.
If on this day, sisters and brothers tie Rakhi to each other, then such a kind of problem can be solved. This festival can play a significant role in pulling down the walls of communalism and race discrimination. Only, a try is needed.
Thread for Protection of Trees
Today when we talk about celebrating Raksha Bandhan in a new form, our main consideration should be safety of Universe above our family, society or nation. We all should take a resolution on this festival,that we should tie a thread of love around a tree and take the responsibility of its care. Worshiping of trees as of God, contains the interest of human in itself. The nature which has been giving us from time immemorial selflessly. For there protection, something should be done on this day.
Trees and plants keep themselves favorable in all climatic conditions and without any discrimination they give life to human race. To save this earth, it is important to take the resolution of saving trees. Let us all take a promise of protecting a tree by tying a thread to Rakhi around it on Raksha Bandhan.
Compilation
