Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in India and Nepal, marking the bond between brothers and sisters. On the full moon day of Shravana (usually August), sisters tie a rakhi thread around their brothers’ wrists, symbolizing protection and care, and receive gifts in return.

• Sisters tie a rakhi thread on brothers’ wrists
• Celebrated on the full moon of Shravana, usually in August
• Brothers give gifts in return for the rakhi
• Observed widely in India and Nepal
• Rituals can include prayers, sweets, and family gatherings

What it is

Raksha Bandhan is a festival that celebrates the enduring bond between siblings, especially brothers and sisters. Central to the occasion is the ritual of sisters tying a rakhi—a decorative thread or amulet—on their brothers’ wrists. This act is both a prayer for the brother’s well-being and a symbolic gesture of protection. In return, brothers give gifts and promise to look after their sisters. The festival is a moment for families to come together, reinforcing ties of affection and responsibility across generations.

Where it comes from

The origins of Raksha Bandhan blend ancient ritual and folk tradition. Historically, the day was marked by priests tying protective amulets on patrons, a practice rooted in Hindu texts. Over time, the focus shifted to the sibling relationship, especially in rural communities where sisters would visit their natal homes for the festival. The ritual has had various names and forms across regions, such as saluno and rakri, and has evolved to include voluntary kinship ties beyond blood relations. Its significance has grown with migration and urbanization, spreading to new communities and contexts.

How it is celebrated

On Raksha Bandhan, sisters prepare rakhis—often brightly coloured and adorned with beads or motifs—and tie them around their brothers’ wrists, sometimes after performing a small prayer or aarti. Brothers give gifts or money in return, and families share sweets and festive meals. In rural areas, married women often travel to their parental homes for the occasion, sometimes staying for several weeks. The festival is marked by joyful gatherings, the exchange of blessings, and the reaffirmation of family bonds. In some traditions, sisters place barley shoots behind their brothers’ ears, and in certain places, priests still perform the older ritual of tying protective threads.

Joining in

Visitors in India during Raksha Bandhan will notice markets filled with colourful rakhis and sweet shops bustling with activity. The festival is most widely observed in northern and western India, but celebrations can be found across the country and in Nepal. While it is a private family affair, some communities organize public events or invite friends to join. As a newcomer, you may be welcomed to witness or even participate in the rituals, especially if you have close local friends. Expect a warm, festive atmosphere and a focus on togetherness.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Raksha Bandhan, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Raksha Bandhan on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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