|
Rakhi is celebrated
with great joy and excitement all around India. Known as Raksha
Bandhan in other parts of the country, it symbolises love,
affection and feeling of brotherhood. Rakhi, a colourful piece of
art, with silken threads entwined together in an attractive manner
and adorned with beads and golden threads are placed on the wrists
of brothers for their good health, wealth, happiness and success.
The brothers in return pledge to protect their sisters from
danger. This festival establishes the bond of love and affection
between the siblings.
The rakhis and the sweets are bought and prepared generally before the Purnima.
On the auspicious day of Rakhi all the sisters and brothers get up early in the morning. They wear new clothes on this occasion and get ready for their special festival. Generally there is a 'Shubh-Muhurt' for performing the tying of Rakhi to the brothers. Therefore they get ready accordingly.
Sisters decorate a 'Thali' (A Plate) especially for the occasion of Rakhi. They keep all the necessary items like Roli (for Tilak), Akshat (rice grains for Tilak), Diya or Deepak (for performing the Arti of their brother),
, agarbattis (incense sticks), Sweets and the Rakhi in that beautifully decorated Thali.
First of all the offerings are made to the deities of the family.
Then sisters put Tilak on the forehead of their brother and then stick some of the Akshat to the same Tilak. Then they perform the Arti of their brothers.
While performing the rituals the Sister chants
"Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej
Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee",
Meaning "The sun radiates its sunlight, the radish spreads its seeds,
I tie the rakhi to you O brother and wish that may you live long."
After her prayer for a long life for her brother, she says that she is tying the ever-protective Raksha to her brother chanting:
"Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah
tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala"
Meaning ," I tie you the rakhi that was tied to king Bali, the king of Demons,
O Rakhi I pray that you never falter in protecting your devotee.
After that they tie the Rakhi, preferably, on the right wrist of their
brothers and both pray for each others' well being followed by a pledge from the brother to take care of his sister under all circumstances. The brother then usually gifts something to the sister to mark the occasion. Celebrated enveloped in the festivities.
Thus on the festive occasion of Rakhi the brothers and sisters wish happy long life, success, prosperity and health to each other. In last all of them seek the blessings of their parents and other elderly people in their family. After that they go to visit their relatives and to exchange the greetings with them. The rituals may differ a little from region to region but generally carry the same aura.
The mirth that surrounds the festival is unsurpassed. Amidst the merriment the rituals are also followed with great devotion.
|
