Happy Raksha Bandhan!

by **Arch** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 1:43 am

I was asked the significance of this festival by some of my friends who are foreign to it and I could gather this info from my thougths and other sources: The \"festival\" of Raksha Bandhan, is marked by a very simple ceremony in which the sister ties a rakhi around the wrist of her brother(s). The word \"raksha\" signifies protection, and \"bandhan\" is an association signifying an enduring bond; and so, when the sister ties a rakhi around the wrist of her brother, she signifies her loving attachment to him. He, likewise, recognizes the special bonds between them, and by extending his wrist forward, he in fact, extends the hand of his protection over her. The thread-tying ceremony is sometimes preceded by the sister performing aarti for her brother, so that the blessings of God may be showered upon him. Raksha bandhan is also viewed as an occasion for reasserting a woman\'s ties to her natal home, where the brother conveys a message to his sister that she has not been abandoned but is loved just as much and that he is there to protect her in times of need and similarly, the woman conveys a message to her husband\'s family that she counts upon her natal family to come to her protection and that they seek accountability from her husband\'s family. Raksha bandhan is truly an occasion for brothers taking their responsibilities seriously as being protective, like the sheltering banyan tree. \"Your Brother, The Banyan Tree

will protect you. Accept my blessing and affection through this sacred thread which deepens and tightens our relationship further each year \" . The supposition that a sister takes the place next to the mother where the brother thanks her for being there \"My Loving Sister, you are next to God & My Parents. Rays of your love & blessings enlivened me like Rays of the Ultimate Symbol of love & sacrifice.\" But alongside the expression of these more conventional sentiments, one might consider such humor too for the younger brothers, \"Dear Bro... You are the perfect Brother. You have good education, good looks, good height, strong build, lots of money, but alas, with a dedh dimakh\" (LOL, must be a pure Hydi who\'s written this part, nai?) Sorry, guys, I could not post it on the Indian 12th of Aug. I forgot !! Anyways, der aaya, durusth aayya ?

A very happy Raksha bandhan to all you. May all of you have a joyful, healthy, happy lives. 
Happy Raksha Bandhan!

by **Kulcha Hyderabadi** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 11:19 am

Haan Arch, der se aaye durust aaye! one of my most favorite songs of Lata ji is \"Bhaiyya morey rakhi ke bandhan ko na bhulana\" and I vividly remember pretty Nanda doing this number for Balraj Sahini and Rehman in \"Choti Bahen\" - Raksha Bandhan, when did it start, what does it means or signifies and how is it celebrated... Please read on Raksha Bandhan Two important festivals are celebrated during the bright fortnight in the month of Shravan. One is known as Upakarma and the other as Raksha Bandhan. Raksha Bandhan : The legend Shrava purnima’s second festival is Raksha Bandhan. This is an ancient tradition. Bhavishya Purana refers to a battle between gods and demons, and Indra (the king of the gods) was feeling depressed. At that time Indra’s wife Sachi took a thread, charged it with sacred verses or Mantras for protection and tied it on Indra’s hand. Through the strength of this thread Indra conquered his enemies. Since then till today this festival is celebrated. Through the passage of time festivals are undergoing modifications. Raksha Bandhan is also known as Rakhi. Rakhi has become a sacred festival for sisters and brothers. Sisters tie them to brothers. Priests tie them to people of his congregation. During the middle ages, if a woman tied a Rakhi on the hand of any man, then it became imperative for him, as his religious duty of the highest order, to protect that woman. That man would put his life at stake to protect the honour of that woman. In those days, many Rajputs sacrificed their lives to protect their spiritual sisters. Humayun received a Rakhi from the queen Karmavati of Chittor and for that, Humayun carried out his sacred brotherly duty and protected her by opposing his own soldiers. According to ancient traditions, it is customary to have protection threads that are charged with sacred verses (Mantras) and sanctified with rice, durva grass etc.; to have these tied by people who know the Vedas or by near and dear ones. This protection thread saves from sins on the one hand and removes diseases on the other hand. By tying this thread, protection is afforded for a full one year and all kinds of fears are removed. Nowadays Rakhis are decorated with soft silky threads of various colours, and also with ornaments, pictures, gold and silver threads etc. These Rakhis enhance the artistry of the people. Within these Rakhis reside sacred feelings and well wishes. It is also a great sacred verse of unity. Acting as a symbol of life\'s advancement and a leading messenger of togetherness. Each person should celebrate with enthusiasm this sacred festival of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan. (Raksha = protection. Bandhan = tie). (http://www.hinduism.co.za/raksha.htm)

by **bull** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 1:48 pm

To all the lovely people of Hyderabad (except one), Happy Raakhee!

by **Arch** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 8:28 pm

Thank you Kulcha Hyderabadi bhayyaa, for all the information that you have given. Shall write as the day passes. (There are so many thots to share). But firstly, I wanted to thank you and Bull. Thank you too for the wishes. Except one hyderabadi, huh?

If she ain\'t from Hyderabad, then !?)

by **pavani** » Wed Aug 13, 2003 9:22 pm

Hi brothers. Happy Raksha Bandhan. How come nobody came to me today?

((((

by **Mayavi Morpheus** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 6:31 am

Are meri pyaari behana, sisters come to brothers to tie rakhi!!!

by b. » Thu Aug 14, 2003 1:21 pm

Archie,
 
I know she is not from hyd.
But lives here. (She is my imaginary one, so far...)

by **Archie** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:31 pm

That\'s sweet, B. Hope you meet her and get to know her soon and have a happy life together.

by **Arch** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:40 pm

The first thought that occured to me, Kulcha bhayya is that you cared enough and so know about Raksha Bandhan, more so surprising because you are a non-hindu ( am I assuming so or has it been mentioned elsewhere on these boards !?).

by **Kulcha Hyderabadi** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 11:53 pm

Arch - I grew up in an era when, it was so difficult or rather almost impossible to identify people in Hyderabad, based on their faith and beliefs! We had Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Jains in the school and we all shared our festivals with equal joy and gusto! Whether it be Eid-ul-Fitr, Deepawali, Christmas, Guru Nanak\'s birthday or Mahavir Jayanthi it was simply a festival for us and we had great fun. We took great interest in learning about our festivals and grew to appreciate each other\'s religious beliefs and enjoyed mutual respect. I am glad to say that, even today, nothing has changed for us! We still are the same people and when we meet, its sheer joy and I guess thats the way it should be and it is our responsibilty, as parents (those who are) to imbue in our children the meaning of love and tolerence, the essence of living together as good human beings, the mutual benefits of caring and sharing, and the necessity of building a healthy society. And, if we dont do that, the future generations will not forgive us for the mess we leave behind us.

by **Arch** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 1:01 pm

Yes, Kulcha bhayya, it is true about a cosmopolitan city like Hyderabad. That is what is special abt our Hyderabad, nai? Mere Baba ke ek jigri dost hai, Hafeez chacha. Itne pyar se pukar tein hai woh mujhe, \'bete\' kahate hai, itnee tameez se pesh aate hai woh, even when he is angry. Mummy mere unhe rakhi baandhthe hai aur mere woh chacha har saal, zarror tashreef laathe hai ghar par, chaachi aur banchon ke saath. ghar mein itni masti, itna pyar, itni halchal, itnee hasee. Bohoth achaa lagta hai hame jab Chacha aten hai.

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