Raksha Bandhan – A tale of traditions related to this festival

Raksha Bandhan – A tale of traditions related to this festival
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The bond between a brother and a sister is a very special one. While childhood days are often spent fighting with each other, over the years this relationship takes the form of the best friends. The brother takes on the role of the protector keeping his sibling shielded from the trails of the big, bad world. The sister, in turn, takes up the role of the caregiver and becomes his person of comfort; the one he can turn to no matter how bad things go for him. Such is the strength of this bond that things like marriage or physical distance can do nothing to harm it.

A relationship like this needs no special day to celebrate it. However, Indian culture dictates that Raksha Bandhan is a special day to renew the vows as siblings and ensure that one does not take the other for granted. In a country as diverse as India, it is understandable that the traditions associated with this festival vary. While in many parts of North India, sisters tie Rakhi on their brother’s wrists on this day, in Bengal, Bhai Phota (a similar ritual involving putting a tilak on the brother’s forehead) is celebrated after Diwali. In Tamil Nadu, Kanu Pidi is celebrated during Pongal in January. Kanu Pidi is a day when sisters pray for the long lives of their brothers.

Thus, while this day may not always involve celebrating sibling-hood, it does hold special significance in most Indian cultures. In this article, we have a kaleidoscopic view of the traditions related to this festival from different regions of the country.

Nariyal Purnima

Rakhi Purnima is celebrated as Narial Purnima is celebrated in the western coastal regions. That would include parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa. From a geographical point of view, these festivals fall at a time when the monsoon starts retreating. As the sea starts to calm down, this signifies a time of hope and optimism for the fishermen folk. On this day, they offer thanksgiving to the Hindu Rain God, Lord Varun. As coconuts are an essential part of the thanksgiving culture here, Rakhi Purnima is celebrated as Nariyal Purnima in the coastal belt.

Jhulan Purnima

The states of Odisha and West Bengal celebrate the spirit of Raksha Bandhan in the form of Jhulan Purnima. Also known as Jhulan Yatra, this is a week-long festival that culminates on the day of Raksha Bandhan. The festival celebrates the romance between Radha and Krishna and is more popular among the youth. Devotees spend the entire week in merrymaking amidst beautifully decorated swings. Every evening, people wait eagerly for the singing and dancing that forms the quintessence of this festival. This is one of the most important annual festivals for Vaishnavas.

Shravan Purnima

The festival of Rakhi is celebrated as Shravan Purnima in the north-eastern states of Tripura and Assam. The beauty of the festival here is the fact that it is not confined to the boundaries of Hinduism. Here, people of all faiths tie the thread of protection on the wrist of their brothers. Sometimes this stretches to relationships beyond those bounded by blood and women tie the rakhi on the hands of their close male friends (or friends of their bothers) to symbolize their importance in one’s life. It is one of the rare instances of cultural acceptance of the fact that the sacred relationship between a brother and a sister need not be bound by blood alone.

Pavitropana

This festival is in honour of Lord Shiva. Belief has it that one who worships Lord Shiva on this day is washed off all his sins. Pavitas is the most important part of this festival. The celebration of this festival involves the tying of the Pavitras around the Shivalinga. People take a few strands of the kasa grass and knot that with a few filaments of cotton. The same is then soaked in the holy Panchagaivya to get Pavitras. For those unaware, Panchagaivya is a sacred potion made by mixing equal quantities of cow’s ghee, milk, urine, gobar, and curd. The state of Gujarat celebrates Pavitropana on the day of Raksha Bandhan.

Kajari Purnima

Kajari Purnima is celebrated across central India and includes parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chattisgarh. This festival marks the onset of the season for the sowing of barley and wheat and is of special significance to the farming class. Here, women who have borne male heirs prepare cups made of leaves. They then fill the same with soil and place in a dark room of the house. For a week, the cup is worshipped every day by the women of the house. On the last day, the same is immersed with prayers in a nearby river or pond. Dedicated to the worship of Goddess Bhagawati, this festival is for praying for a good harvest and takes place on the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan.

Avani Avittam

This is mainly a festival of the Brahmins and is celebrated across South India. On this day, the Brahmins are expected to take a holy dip and change their Janeya, the sacred thread that symbolizes their caste. The change in the Janeyu depicts an atonement of all previous sins. In Indian culture that is known as Prayaschitam. The day is also associated with Mahasankalpam or a day when one will live by the principles of strength, honesty, and dignity. As the day of Raksha Bandhan is considered very auspicious as per the Hindu calendar, tradition dictates that scholars begin the reading of the Yajur Veda on this very day.

As you have seen, the day of Raksha Bandhan is more than that of just a celebration of the ties of a brother and sister. In some cultures, it the praying for a good harvest whereas in some others it is the thanksgiving for keeping one safe during the harsh monsoons. At the same time, in places like Jammu and Kashmir, this is a day of flying colourful kites. Indeed, the reason for celebration may vary, but the essence of festivity remains unhindered across the lengths and breadths of the country.