Raksha Bandhan (while “Raksha” literally translates to ‘safety,’ and ‘Bandhan’ means bond.”) is one of the most popular festivals of Hindus. Also known as Avani Avittam in South India, Janai Purnima in Nepal, and Rakhi in India, this festival is celebrated differently based on geographic location. Raksha Bandhan falls on the full moon day of the month of Shravan (July-August).
It is an important Hindu festival, and Hindus wear a new holy thread (Janeu) and offer libations of water to the ancient Rishis. In India, on this day, an amulet known as a Raksha or Rakhi is tied around the wrist of brothers by the sisters as a protection from evil during the coming year. Ceremonial Rakhi is tied on the siblings’ wrists as a mark of protection and love between siblings, cherishing the auspicious brother-sister relationship.
Brahmins and Purohits similarly tie amulets around the wrists of their patrons and receive gifts. A Mantra is recited while tying the Rakhi or the silken thread to charge it with the power of Mantra. It is believed that the power of this Mantra protects the wearer from evil influences. The Mantra is as follows:
Yena baddho balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah; Tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshey maa chala maa chala.
Meaning in English: “I am tying on your hand this Raksha, with which the most powerful and generous King Bali himself was bound; O Raksha, don’t go away, don’t go away.”
Raksha Bandhan 2024 Timings
While Raksha Bandhan can be celebrated all day long, there is a particular time during which this age-old ritual of tying the rakhi should be done. According to the Hindu Panchang, the Purnima Tithi for Raksha Bandhan 2024 is on Monday, August 19, 2024.
History and Significance
On this day, Sachi, the consort of Indra, tied a holy thread or amulet around his wrist when the demons defeated him. Then Indra, the king of gods, gained victory over the demons by this protection’s power and recovered Amaravati’s lost city.