************** HISTORY OF RAKSHA BANDHAN*******************
The Changing Face of Raksha Bandhan
Rakhi, though considered by some as having a religious origin. But, there have been many occasions in history that have emphasized the relationship between a brother and a sister more than the religious side of it. Gradually, over the centuries and over time Rakhi has lost its original outlook that made everyone associate it with the Hindu religion.
Origin of Raksha Bandhan
As with other Indian festivals, Rakhi also follows the festival calender that is completely based on the weather changes and their significance in the lives of people. Rakhi has a rich Indian mythological base. Many historically significant epics are related to the origin and the subsequent development of Raksha Bandhan. The festival also finds a mention in most of the epics and its origin can be traced to as far back as the Pouranik times.
Legendary Stories of Raksha Bandhan
- Alexander The Great and King Puru
Alexander, the great (as he was called) was on a mission to conquer the world. On his crusade through the Indian subcontinent somewhere around 300 B.C., King Alexander of Macedonia was shaken by the fury of the Indian king, Puru. It was then that Alexander's wife, approached King Puru as a sister. On Alexander's next attempt, King Puru, as a tribute to the sacred bond of Rakhi, did not oppose King Alexander and let him have his way. - Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun
One of the most popular tales that come to our minds when we think of Rakhi is that of Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun. This dates back to the medieval era when Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions. When Rani Karnawati, the widowed queen of the king of Chittor realised that she could not defend the invasion by the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a Rakhi to Emperor Humayun. The Emperor, touched by this gesture of sisterly love immediately set off with his troops to defend Chittor's honour. - Lord Krishna and Draupadi
Legend goes that during the war that Krishna fought and won against the evil King sari wherein he killed sari, Krishna was hurt and and his hand was bleeding. Seeing this, Draupadi tore a strip of cloth from her sari and tied it around his wrist. Lord Krishna, seeing her affections and realising her concerns about him, declared himself bounded by her sisterly love. He also promised that he will be at her side whenever she needed a brother. Many years later, when Pandavas lost Draupadi in a game of dice and Kauravas were removing her sari, Krishna helped her. He did so by continuously adding to the length of her sari and thereby saved her from a public disgrace. - King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi
Mahabali, the demon king was also a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. It was thus that Lord Vishnu, left Vaikuntham, his dwelling to protect Bali's kingdom. But, Goddess Lakshmi (Lord Vishnu's wife) became sad because of the Lord having left her alone. So, she went to Bali as a Brahmin woman and took refuge as in the King's palace. On Shravana Purnima, she tied a Rakhi on King Bali's wrist. She then revealed her true identity and told the King of her real reason for coming. The king was touched by Her and Lord Vishnu's good will and affection towards him and his family. Following which Bali requested Lord Vishnu to accompany her to Vaikuntham. It was thus that the festival of Rakhi also came to be known as Baleva (as a reference to Bali's devotion to Lord Vishnu).
******RAKHI*******
Rakhi stands for the celebration of emotions and is also known as Raksha Bandhan – the knot of protection. People have a belief that the thread of Rakhi has a strong power to hold the affectionate relation of a brother and sister. Since ages, this festival is being celebrated to cherish the most sacred relation on this globe. The festival of Rakhi is celebrated in almost all the corners of this world and the name of this festival changes as soon as one enters into a new region.
India is worldly known for its strong family based system, therefore, Rakhi is celebrated with lots of hues of love and care. The festivity of Rakhi has been showcasing the eternal love and care between brothers and sisters. This festival of Rakhi is seen as a way of expressing your love for those who are always there in dark days of your life.
Symbol of love and liveliness
This festival is celebrated with lots of love and frolic in India. In addition of tying Rakhis on the wrist of brothers, relishing tempting and mouth watering dishes, exchange of gift items, lots of other elements are also present there in this festival. All these actions collectively make the festival of Rakhi all the more interesting. Rakhis festival is so colorful and enjoyable that people always look forward for this day to arrive.
This day starts with tying a Rakhi thread on the brother's wrist by the sister. Rakhis are a symbol of love and affection of sisters for their dearest brothers. Brothers likewise understands the true meaning of rakhi and by extending his wrist forward, he promises to protect her from all hardships of life. Sisters also apply kumkum powder on the forehead of their brother and perform aarti before him for showering their brothers with blessings of god. In other words, Raksha Bandhan is a synonym of love and feelings that is shared by siblings.
A day to unite and enjoy
Brothers and sisters from all the corners of this world indulge into joyful and pleasant moments of day by tying a beautiful Rakhi and exchange of gifts. This is considered as the best time to enjoy with your near and dear ones by treating the taste buds with finger-licking dishes and delicious sweets. It is a day to exchange lots of wonderful Rakhi gifts wrapped with love and emotions. All those sisters who can't meet their brothers, will send their Rakhi with their hearty wishes via post or by placing an online order. This world will be united as one because the day brings in the feel of togetherness to al
India is worldly known for its strong family based system, therefore, Rakhi is celebrated with lots of hues of love and care. The festivity of Rakhi has been showcasing the eternal love and care between brothers and sisters. This festival of Rakhi is seen as a way of expressing your love for those who are always there in dark days of your life.
Symbol of love and liveliness
This festival is celebrated with lots of love and frolic in India. In addition of tying Rakhis on the wrist of brothers, relishing tempting and mouth watering dishes, exchange of gift items, lots of other elements are also present there in this festival. All these actions collectively make the festival of Rakhi all the more interesting. Rakhis festival is so colorful and enjoyable that people always look forward for this day to arrive.
This day starts with tying a Rakhi thread on the brother's wrist by the sister. Rakhis are a symbol of love and affection of sisters for their dearest brothers. Brothers likewise understands the true meaning of rakhi and by extending his wrist forward, he promises to protect her from all hardships of life. Sisters also apply kumkum powder on the forehead of their brother and perform aarti before him for showering their brothers with blessings of god. In other words, Raksha Bandhan is a synonym of love and feelings that is shared by siblings.
A day to unite and enjoy
Brothers and sisters from all the corners of this world indulge into joyful and pleasant moments of day by tying a beautiful Rakhi and exchange of gifts. This is considered as the best time to enjoy with your near and dear ones by treating the taste buds with finger-licking dishes and delicious sweets. It is a day to exchange lots of wonderful Rakhi gifts wrapped with love and emotions. All those sisters who can't meet their brothers, will send their Rakhi with their hearty wishes via post or by placing an online order. This world will be united as one because the day brings in the feel of togetherness to al
Avani Avittam / Upakramam
read more about festivals in Tamil Nadu
Avani Avittam Rituals
On this day, a Mahasankalpam or a vow is taken for atonement of all our sins in the past year. The Brahmins take a holy dip and wear a new holy thread called Yajnopavit or Janeyu.
The first step is a 'prayashchita', A prayer to atone the sins. It says, "For the removal of all my sins and thereby to secure a divine blessing and for qualifing myself to perform the essential duties of Brahmanas as prescribed in the vedas and smritis and adopted by the really good in their conduct I put on this Yagnopavita".
When the thread is worn another mantra is recited which means -"I put on the sacred thread which is highly pure, is inseparable from God, is capable of prolonging life and is the foremost in the accomplishment of a Brahmana. May such pure Yagnopavita bring strength and dignity.
While removing the old thread, the mantra means -"I throw away the broken dirty old thread, may the new one bring on long life and Brahmana's brilliance.
Avani Avittam Significance
Upakramam means the beginning. On this day the Yajurvedis begin to read Yajur Veda for next six months. The day is auspicious because as per Indian mythology Lord Vishnu was incarnated as Lord Hayagriva,the lord of knowledge, the one who restored the Vedas to Brahma.
Kajari Purnima
On the ninth day after Shravana Amavasya, the preparations of the kajari festival start. This ninth day is called Kajari Navami. The rituals are performed by the ladies blessed with a son. The rituals continye till the Kajri Purnima or the full moon day.
On the Shravan Shukla Navami, women go to fields and bring earth in the leaf cups. Leaf or barley is sown in it and kept in a dark room where no sunlight or fresh air reaches. The place where this leaf cup is kept and the surrounding walls are cleaned and washed with mud and cow dung. The place then is decorated patterns made by rice solution.The motifs are generally the house hold articles and activities. Figures of a house, a child in cradle, a mongoose and a woman with a pitcher are mandatory figures. This art of drawing with the rice solution on mud washed floor is called Navami. And then the cup is worshiped.
The worship is repeated fot seven days till the full moon day. The evening of the full moon day has the final ritual. The women move out in procession carrying the leaf cups on their heads. They carry it to a pond or any other water body and immerse it. Women keep fast on this day and pray for the well being of their sons.
The festival is of importance to the farmers as it signifies the beginning of the sowing season for wheat and barley. They worship Godess Bagwati and seek blessings for a good crop.
Narial Purnima
It is the time of retreating monsoon. The skies are clearing, the tides are receding, the sea is less violent. It is the festival time for the people of the coastal areas. The people offer coconut to Lord Varun to invoke blessings and offer thanks giving.
For the fishermen is is the beginning of the new fishing season. During the monsoon the seas are more violent. The fishermen don't wade into seas during this time. Shravan Purnima signifies the end of Monsoon. The Fishermen decorate their boats, paint it new and put flags. They then carry decorated coconuts to the sea. It is kind of a community gathering there. They celebrate together, sing and dance together. In the end they worship the Sea God and offer coconut. The decorated coconuts are thrown in the water with prayers of a plentiful fish catch.
Why Coconut?
A coconut has three eyes. It is said to represent Lord Shiva, the three eyed God. Coconut is considered to be an auspicious offering to Gods. A coconut is broken in front of the deities before taking up a new venture to seek blessings and on successful comlition for thanks giving. Coconut is important for all religious occasions. Thus coconut is considered to be an ideal offering to the Sea God as well.
Pieces of coconut and coconut are distributed as 'prasad'. Coconut rice is the main dish on this day.
Pavitropana
History of Pavitropana
This festival has also been referred to as Putrada Ekadashi in Bhavishya Purana. In this Purana, Lord Krishna has narrated the story of how the Ekadashi in the month of Shravana came to be sacred. He states,“At the dawn of Dvarpara-yuga there lived a king by the name of Mahijita, who ruled the kingdom of Mahismati-puri. Since he had no son, his entire kingdom seemed utterly cheerless to him. “A married man who has no son gains no happiness in this life or the next.” The King tried hard to beget children and continue his lineage. But it seemed that lady luck had turned against the king. As years progressed, he became anxious and called for an assembly of advisors. He told that he had never committed any sin or did anything wrong to anyone. Yet the Gods have not blessed him and the kingdom with a son. He asked everyone to find out the reason for this.
Rituals followed on Pavitropana
The Ceremony of Pavitropana involves Pavitras, a few filaments of cotton and sometimes kasa grass which are closely entwined, knotted together and soaked in a mixture of Panchgaivya (cow's ghee, milk, curd, urine and excreta).
Pavitropana or the Shravana Purnima is considered as an auspicious day for the final poojan of the three eyed God. In the Pavitropana ceremony, a few twisted filaments of cotton are soaked in panchagaivya (mixture of cow's ghee, milk, curd, urine and excreta) and then fastened around the Shivalinga. Panchagaivya or the five products obtained from cow which is the most sacred animal according to the Hindu mythology.
Rakhi In India
Legends of Rakhi
Number of legends are associated with the ancient festival of Raksha Bandhan. A popular legend of Rakhi from Bhavishya Puran narrates the story of Indra and Indrani. It says that once Lord Indra was facing reverses in battle against demons led by King Bruta. At this stage Indra sought help of Guru Brihaspati. The sage advised him to tie a sacred thread powered by mantras on the auspicious day of Shravan Purnima. Following the suggestion, Indra's consort Indrani tied the sacred thread on Indra's wrist on the decided time. The Rakhi helped Gods win the battle against the demons. From then on sisters' began to tie a Rakhi on their brother's wrist on the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan.
Rakhi Customs and Tradition
There are simple but set customs and traditions for Rakhi Day. People wake up early and take bath to purify their mind and soul. Sisters along with the mother prepare festive food including a sweet dish. A sister then arranges the customary Rakhi Puja Thali consisting of Rakhi, Tika, Mithai, Diya besides other traditional puja items to carry out the ceremony. At the opportune time she ties Rakhi on her brother's wrist, apply tika on his forehead and perform arti of him. Praying for her brother's long life sister puts a sweet in bhaiya's mouth. Brother reciprocates by presenting Rakhi Return Gifts to sister and promises to guard her against all hardships in life. This simple Rakhi ceremony symbolizes and strengthens the eternal bond of love between a brother and sister.
Rakhi Celebration in India
In India, celebrations for Rakhi begin a month before the festival. Markets wear a festival look as colorful Rakhi stall mushroom in every nook and corner of the country. Brothers and sisters staying away from home start making plans for a visit to home. For them Raksha Bandhan is the time for family reunion.
On the day of Rakhi spirit of the people is high and there is a general atmosphere of harmony and bliss. All family members gather and carry out the traditional customs of the day with joy and enthusiasm. Later, everyone relishes the best of food and have a good time.
Regional Significance of Rakhi
Auspicious day of Rakhi Purnima is celebrated all over India though under different names and with different set of rituals. In North India, the festival is popularly celebrated as Raksha Bandhan. On this day sisters tie a sacred thread of Rakhi on brother's wrist and pray for his long life. Brothers' bless their sister and present them gifts.Regional names of Rakhi in rest of India include Nariyal Purnima, Avani Avittam and Balev. Read on to know more about these.
Narial Poornima or Coconut Full Moon: The festival of Rakhi is also known as Narial Poornima or Coconut Full Moon. On Mumbai's famous beaches, coconuts are thrown into the sea to propitiate the Sea God, Varuna, who is the chief object of worship on this occasion.
Avani Avittam: Rakhi is called Avani Avittam in South India. This is the time of "upakarmam" and is celebrated in various ways all over South India. It falls on the full-moon day of the month of Shravan (August-September). Rakhi forms an important Hindu festival in South India.
Balev: Rakhi is also commonly known known Balev. This festival has special significance among Brahmins as it is the day on which Brahmins change their sacred thread. On Shravan Sud 15 when the moon is in the constellation of Shravan the Brahmins, while changing their sacred thread, rededicate themselves to study the vedas and pursue spiritual upliftment.
