Experiencing joys and sorrows together, sharing enormous laughters and wiping tears, cute chit-chats and endless pillow-fights, sense of togetherness and the never-ending complaints! All these sweet and tangy tastes of emotions can be found in the most beautiful relation, yes, none other than the brother-sister relation! These colorful shades of memories of brother-sister relation becomes worth cherishing even more while tying the sacred knot of rakhi on the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan every year.
After the beautiful green monsoon season, rakhi that falls on shravan purnima, brings with it the colorful “season of festivals”. There are several interesting historical evidences as well as mythological descriptions mingled up with this festival that reminds us of its significance. The most popular historical narrative is about Rani Karnavati of Chittor who sent a rakhi to the mughal emperor, humayun, after which he fought against Bahadur Shah Zafar and restored the kingdom to rani’s son. Raksha bandhan is mentioned in our epics as festival of gods. Yamuna used to tie rakhi to his brother yama (god of death), impressed by which he declared that whoever got a rakhi tied would become immortal! Another incidence from the epic Mahabharata concerns draupadi who once tied a torn piece of her saari to lord Krishna’s wrist to stanch the bleeding from a battlefield wound. Krishna got so much touched by her action that he declared her to be his sister and always protected her.
Almost one month before the commencement of rakhi, the market gets laded up with fancy, attractive and colorful rakhis of different shapes and sizes. Almost every shop in Udaipur, be it sweet shops, garment shops, gift shops, or any other shop, all are flooded with attractive rakhi gifts. Ladies shop for new clothes and beautiful rakhi gifts specially the one that has to be sent to their brothers staying far. Family gatherings, celebrations, exchange of sweets and gifts, lots of noise, singing and dancing!!! Festivals are the celebration of togetherness as being as a united family and like any Indian festival, raksha bandhan is not an exception. On the day of Rakhi, sisters decorate the beautiful pooja thali with diya, roli, chawal, rakhi thread and sweets. She bestows her brother with gifts and blessings while carrying out the rituals. In return, brothers wish her a good life and pledges to take care of her lifelong.
Raksha bandhan goes beyond the confines of blood and familial relations. The tradition encourages celebrating the sacred festival of rakhi with the neighbors and close friends; thus allowing a strong social structure. Though it is a festival denoting National sentiments of harmony, raksha bandhan is the most special festival for all the siblings.
We brothers and sisters share the most beautiful, divine and undying relation of all. One can see us flipping out on each other like mads and then having a blast together, the very next moment. It’s so cool making fun of others together and in next to no time, realizing that you yourself have become a joke by the other. You annoy, interfere, criticize, and indulge in mammoth huffs, gasps, in sulks, in snide remarks. You borrow, you break. You monopolize the bathroom. But, but, but! If catastrophe should strike, you are the ones defending each other against all comers. You share childhood memories and grown-up dreams. You are the ones who are there with each other from the dawn of the personal stories to the inevitable dusk. You are the mirror, shining back at each other with a world of possibilities. The witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. You are each other’s partner in sweet crimes, the midnight companions, pillow fighters, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. No, we haven’t gone diverted from the topic of raksha bandhan at all. Actually, Raksha bandhan is that special sentimental festival that salutes this sweet and sour relation and gives us a chance to treasure a day memorizing all the childhood days and discover the deep affections in heart for our siblings and all the kinfolk we love.
So, Udaipies, don’t miss the chance to make your siblings feel special on this special day. Something that I personally would like to devote to my sweet younger brother is as- “I sought my soul, but my soul I could not see. I sought my God, but my God elude me. I sought my brother and I found all three.” Have a bash, Udaipies! Happy Raksha Bandhan! 😀
This full moon day our hearts are in brim
Feeling of faith and serenity in mind.
We light the lamps and our hears glow
Radiance of happiness and peace are in flow.
Harmonious homes are like streams of joy
Flowing and flourishing the landscape en route.
Nobility in heart and character in deed
Righteous homes alone make a beautiful State.
Sisters will tie the thread on the brothers
Abiding them to do only what is right and clean.
Put the Kumkum and blessed rice on the head
Where will dwell right thoughts and noble action.
– APJ Abdul Kalam
Photos by : Yash Sharma, Dimpy Chundawat