Raksha Bandhan – Celebrating Brotherhood

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One of the ancient vedic festivals that celebrates sacred sentiments between a brother and a sister is Raksha Bandhan. ‘Raksha’ means protection and ‘bandhan’ means bond. So, by tying the sacred thread of love, a sister promises to protect her brother from all negativity. A ‘rakhi’ symbolizes the protection and care that a sister fosters for her brother. Like a shield, this thread guards the brother from every possible danger in life.

Vedic tradition gives cousins a status similar to siblings, therefore girls often tie the rakhi to their cousins as well. Raksha Bandhan symbolizes all aspects of protection of good from evil forces. Raksha Bandhan gives an opportunity for families to get together and reunite after a long time, and for restoring and refreshing the bonds of love that they share. Not only this, it is one of the few festivals that highlights a different way of connecting with a woman. Many festivals celebrate the romantic dimension of a relationship between two people, but this instils in people, the sacred relationship between a brother and his sister.