Raksha Bandhan
🗓️ Shravana Purnima (Aug)
The story behind Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan falls on Shravana Purnima, when a sister ties a rakhi — a consecrated thread — on her brother's wrist and he pledges her protection. The katha most often recited is of Maa Lakshmi tying a raksha on Bali, binding the daitya king by affection rather than by force, and so securing the release of Bhagwan Vishnu from his court. The same Purnima is observed as Shravani Upakarma, when the yajnopavita is renewed. The thread carries no power of its own; what it marks is a stated and witnessed duty of care, renewed once each year.
Raksha Bandhan Puja Vidhi
- 1
Snana & Puja Thali
Bathe and prepare the thali with the rakhi, roli, akshata, a lit deep and sweets, keeping it covered until the muhurta.
- 2
Deva Smarana
Offer the first rakhi to the family deity or the kuladevata before any is tied, so the day's protection is sought from the divine first.
- 3
Raksha Bandhana
The sister applies tilak, ties the rakhi on the brother's right wrist while reciting the raksha mantra, and performs aarti. Traditionally done during the aparahna, avoiding the Bhadra period.
- 4
Dakshina & Bhojan
The brother offers a gift and states his pledge of protection; the family then shares the festive meal and distributes the prasad.
Raksha Bandhan Mantra
येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः। तेन त्वामनुबध्नामि रक्षे मा चल मा चल॥
Meaning
By that very bond with which the mighty daitya king Bali was bound, I bind you — O raksha, do not waver, do not waver.
How to chant
Recited once by the sister at the moment the thread is tied on the wrist.