From the time of
ancient Indian civilization Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the
spiritual bonding between brothers and sisters. Brothers
takes oath to protect their sisters and sisters prays to god
for safety and well being of their brothers. Raksha Bandhan
basically a ritual where sisters tie a string called "Rakhi" in the wrist of their brothers to protect them from evil and
wishing them well being. In return brothers prays for
sisters and takes oath to protect her.
In 300BC when King Alexander attached India, he stepped back
by the heroic effort by the Indian King Puru for the first
time. Knowing this Wife of Alexander approached King Puru
with Rakhi and King Puru accepted her as sister. After that
when next war took place King Puru kept the promise made to
her Greek sister and refrained from King Alexander. This is
the oldest incident came to know about Raksha Bandhan.
In 15th century the Raksha Bandhan come up with a new
dimension when Famous Mughal emperor Humayun got a Rakhi
from Rani Karnawatee of Chittor. The incident happens when
Bahadur Shah, The Sultan of Gujrat invaded Chittor and just
widowed queen of Maharaja of Chittor found no way to defend,
she sent a Rakhi to Mughal Badshah Humayun, and touched by
the warmth of the brother sister relationship Badshah
Humayun marched for Chittor to save Rani Karnawatee.
The most recent reference of Raksha Bandhan as social
revolutionary ritual found when in 1905 British empire
decided to break Bengal, a state of British India in parts
in basis of religion. Kaviguru Rabindra Nath Tagore arranged
a ceremony to celebrate Raksha Bandhan to unite both Hindu
and Muslim people of Bengal and launch a protest against
British empire.
Now a days Raksha Bandhan celebrated as a ritual between
brothers and sisters with the same ancient thought of love,
well wishing and protection.
The ritual of Raksha Bandhan consists of tieing up Rakhi by
sisters on the wrist of the brother. Then sister prays for
brothers well being and brother takes oath to protect his
sister under and adverse circumstances. After that brother
gifts something to sister to mark the occasion.
Raksha Bandhan basically celebrated in full moon called "Rakhi
Purnima".
In different parts of India Raksha Bandhan celebrated in
different names.
In northern and western part of India Rakhi celebrated in "Rakhi
Purnima".
In Western Ghats it calls "Nariyel
Purnima" to signify the full moon like coconut.
In southern part of the India Rakhi celebrated as "Avani
Avittam / Upakarmam".
Central India celebrates it as "Kajari
Purnima".
Far western part of the India celebrates it as"Pavitrapana". |
