Raksha Bandhan 2025: The Raksha Bandhan festival, also known as Rakhi, is celebrated throughout India. This year is celebrated on August 9, 2025.
The joyful festival celebrates the bond between sisters and brothers. On this occasion, the nurse combines a string bracelet or amulet, usually made of red or yellow thread called Rakhi, on the right wrist of their brother and siblings exchange sweets and wishes.
IMPORTANCE
Rakhi symbolizes the bond (Bandhana) of mutual protection (Raksha) between brothers and sisters, with a special emphasis on the role of brother in the protection of the sister.
According to the Hindu calendar, the festival takes place on the day of the full month (Purnima) of the Moon of Guy, which usually occurs in August in the Gregorian calendar.
HISTORY
Practice of protective fiber binding has a long history.
Ancient Atharvaveda mentions Pratisary bindings, a protective fiber used in rituals.
The ritual of binding the protective bracelet Kautuka is described in Agniveshya Grihyasutra. According to Britannica, Atharvaveda Parishishta from the first centuries will mention that King Atharvan should tie Raksha Bandhan amulet on the king for the full day of Shravany.
Bhavishya Puran also mentions the binding of protective fibers. In chapter 137 of the last part of the text (Bhavishyotta Puran), the god of Krishn advises Yudhishthir, the oldest of the Pandava brothers in Mahabharata to wear Rakhi. Krishna tells him how, when God Indra fought with Asuras (demons), Indrani’s wife (also known as Shachi), he tied the protective bracelet, “Rakshabandha” to the wrist to be invulnerable.
The Bhagavat Puran ritual and Vishnu also mention Puran. After Vishnu conquered three worlds from King Bali, Vishnu asks to live in his palace.
Vishnu’s wife, the goddess Lakshmi, is not happy about this arrangement. At King Bali, Rakhi binds, which makes him a brother. Bali, honored with a gesture, gives her wishes. Lakshmi asks to return home.
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