Raksha Bandhan 2022
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu traditional festival that celebrates the love of a brother and a sister. "Raksha" means protection, and "Bandhan" means bond. So, this is a festival known for the bond of protection. On this day, a sister ties the knot of protection on her brother’s wrist.
A sister prays and wishes for her brother’s long life and vice versa. The two of them exchange gifts as a symbol of protection and blessing for each other. Sisters apply a ‘tilak’ on the brother’s forehead, and in return, the brother offers sweets as a token of love and protection. The bond of a brother and sister is way different from any other relationship in this world. From endless fights to being the best shoulder to cry on, they can be the strongest and best team when it comes to fighting against the world! This is the purest bond that exists.
Time is the master of everything and with change in times, this generation has proven that Raksha Bandhan is not just a festival of a sister tying a thread on her brother’s wrist. A sister can also tie a thread on her sister’s wrist, associating with the emotions of care and protection.
Many daughters tie a thread on their father’s wrist since a father also protects the entire family and takes care of their safety.
It is a day of unconditional love, warmth, and prosperity. It is a day to appreciate the love of two siblings, cousins, or voluntary relations that always felt more like blood relations only.
Raksha Bandhan 2022 will be celebrated on August 11, i.e., Thursday. It falls in the month of Sawan on the full moon day (Poornima).
The story behind the tradition:
In a war, Lord Krishna killed king Shishupal and cut his finger. His finger started bleeding badly. When Draupadi saw this, she tore a piece of cloth from her saree and tied it around her finger to stop the bleeding, as an action of love, care, and affection. Lord Krishna was touched by her gesture and promised to be by her whenever she needs him in the future. He promised to protect her from all the mishappenings in the world and stand with her in all odds.
When the Kauravas tried to misbehave with her after pulling her by her hair and dragging her into the court. They attempted to disrobe her. Lord Krishna made the length of the saree endless to keep her covered. The more they tried to disrobe her, the more cloth kept on adding to the reams of cloth. He did as he promised to protect her against the evil eye of the world.
This act of Draupadi tying a piece of cloth on Lord Krishna’s finger and him protecting her against the Kauravas and every ill behaviour of the world, as a token of responsibility and love, was the start of the Hindu tradition of Raksha Bandhan.
