Rakshabandhan: Celebrating the Threads of Love that Become our Shields of Faith

Tying a thread may seem like a simple act but, on Rakshabandhan, it carries centuries of tradition and captures the warmth of sibling relationships like no other festival. Rooted in the Sanskrit words raksha (protection) and bandhan (bond), Rakshabandhan is a unique celebration of love and familial solidarity across India. 

Rakshabandhan takes place on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Shravana which typically falls in the month of August. The festival is known by different names across India, such Rakhi Poornima and Nariyal Poornima, and is observed differently in different parts of the country. However, at its core, Rakshabandhan is a ritual where a sister ties a decorated thread, called ‘rakhi’, around her brother’s wrist as a symbol of her prayers for his well-being. In return, her brother offers gifts and vows to protect her throughout life. 

The festival’s origins run deep into Hindu history and scripture. One of the earliest references can be found in the Bhavishya Purana, in which Devi Lakshmi puts a protective thread around the wrist of the Asura king Bali to secure Bhagwan Vishnu’s return to Vaikuntha. Consequently, Bali welcomes Devi Lakshmi as his sister and grants her wish. Another notable account from the same Purana describes how Indra Bhagwan, the King of the Devas, faced defeat at the hands of Vritra Asura. His wife, Sachi Devi, tied a protective thread around his wrist to invoke divine protection prior to his return to battle, and Indra Bhagwan, ultimately, triumphed with renewed vigour and blessings. A popular itihasa-based story comes from the Mahabharata: As Bhagwan Krishna had injured himself, Draupadi had tied a piece of her sari around his wrist to heal him; with gratitude, Bhagwan Krishna vows to protect her for life. He upholds this promise later in the story—by shielding Draupadi from humiliation in the court of the Kauravas. These diverse accounts reflect the enduring values of protection and sacred bonds that continue to shape how Rakshabandhan is practiced today.

Indeed, Rakshabandhan holds great cultural significance across contemporary Hindu society in India and in the Diaspora. Sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ forehead, tie the rakhi around their brother’s wrist, and pray for their good health and long life while performing the aarati. In the western Indian state of Rajasthan, women also tie rakhis to the wrists of kings or village leaders to elicit their protection for the community. In Maharashtra, the festival coincides with Narali Purnima when fishermen worship Varuna Dev and offer coconuts to the ocean to induce a bountiful fishing season. In Tamil and Telugu communities in southern India, the festival is observed as Avani Avittam; during which Brahmin men change their sacred thread and renew their spiritual vows.

In a broader perspective, the festival of Rakhi conveys an intrinsic message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood. In a changing world, Rakshabandhan reminds us of the timeless need to protect, uplift, and stand by one another.

The author, Anusha Naik, is a CoHNA youth volunteer.