Rakhi Bandhan
Rakhi or Raksha means to keep or protect and Bandhan means a tie or bond. Rakhi Bandhan is a ritual that promotes the divine relationship between the brothers and sisters. The festival falls during the full moon of the month of Shravan of Indian lunisolar calendar. It grew in popularity after Queen of Chittor sent one Rakhi to the Emperor Humayun when she required his help.
The festival is observed all over India by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. The ceremony involves the tying of a Rakhi (thread band) by a sister on her brother's wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her.
The event is marked by the tying of a thread band by the sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her as she presents sweets to him. The brother and sister feed traditional sweets. Women often tie the Rakhi to their male cousins as well in several communities. Unrelated men who are considered to be brothers can also be tied Rakhis, provided they commit to lifelong obligation to provide protection to the woman.
The ritual is observed on the full moon day of the month of Shravan, on which sisters tie the sacred Rakhi string on their brothers' right wrists. When a Rakhi is tied on the wrists of close friends and neighbors, it underscores the need for a harmonious social life, where every individual co-exist peacefully as brothers and sisters.
History says that when Alexander the Great invaded India, his wife Roxana sent a sacred thread to Hindu King Porus, asking him not to harm her husband in battle. Accordingly the great Hindu king gave full respect to the Rakhi. On the battlefield, when Porus was about to deliver a final blow to Alexander, he saw the rakhi on his own wrist and restrained himself from attacking Alexander personally. Even matrimonial alliances have been established between kingdoms through the exchange of Rakhis. This has always been the idea of an ideal society.
Surrey City Mayor Ms Dianne Watts recently unveiled this festival during a news conference at city hall. She was joined by several of her councilors. After the announcement the female elected officials tied bracelets around the wrists of prominent men from the community. The mayor gave her bracelet to a local and beaming firefighter. The event is aimed at protecting women from domestic violence.
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