Raksha Bandhan Is on August 15th 2019

Significance:

Rakhi is a very special festival of India that speaks volumes about the emotional attachment of Indian siblings. It is popularly known as "Raksha Bandhan", which means the bond of protection.

Celebration:

On this day early morning sisters wears new clothes, decorates their puja thalis and on the muhurt ties the sacred thread to the wrist of their brothers. She first gives nariyal(coconut) to his brother's hand and after that applies tika and roli to her brother's forehead and then ties him the sacred thread. In return brother gives a gift and promises her life long protection.

Unique in its concept, Rakhi is celebrated as a symbol of love and good wishes of a sister, who wishes for her brother's long life and prosperity on this day. The brother, on the other hand, promises to keep away all the miseries and harm from his beloved sister.

As per tradition, Rakhi gifts are given by brothers to their sister. They bless their sister after the thread-tying ceremony and give gifts, as a token of their love and affection.

Ideal Gifts for Raksha Bandhan:

Some ideal gifts on the occasion of Rakhi are sweets, dry fruits and clothes. These days, wrist watches and jeweled rakhis are gifted, as long lasting remembrance of the sister. Sweets and chocolates have always been a part of the festival and considered to be the perfect gift option. Dry fruits are a suitable choice as well and are more favored as Rakhi gifts. The list does not end here and things like pen sets, shirts, tie, jeweled tie pins, flowers & cakes, silk saris and diamond accessories makes other some more Rakhi gift options. Go ahead and gift your brother or sister something that always reminds him/ her of the special bond between the two of you.

Rakhi Gifts for Kid brothers

If you have a brother who is less than 13 years, you can select a rakhi with some cartoon images or some super hero images on it, depending on his liking. Children of this age group generally like the cartoon characters like jokers, Pokémon’s, Donald Duck, shaktiman, Mickey Mouse, tweety, superman and other superheros. The musical Rakhis that produce different musical sounds are also liked by boys in this age group. You can also go for rakhis with toys, like mobile handsets, cars, bikes and animals, attached to them.

Rakhis for Young Brothers

For the brothers in the age group of 13 to 20 years, you can select rakhis with a traditional look, like fancy rakhis, stone rakhis, gold-silver coated rakhis and zari rakhis. Rakhis with trendy looks, like bracelet style rakhis, wrist watch style rakhis and currency note rakhis, are equally liked by boys his age group. Do make sure that you go for the latest designs of rakhis in the market.

Rakhis For Older Brothers

The brothers above 20 years of age are included in this age group. They usually like simple, not very heavily decorated, rakhis. Most of them like simple 'dori', mouli or the 'Ram rakhis'. You can go for zari rakhis, resham rakhis, gold/silver coated rakhis and rakhis embedded with precious and semi-precious stones as well. The special rakhis, with a little religious touch, will also be well-liked. Such rakhis carry the pious symbols, like 'Om', 'Swastika' and 'Shree', on them. Rakhis carrying the images of idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are also very popular in this age group.

Other Gifts:

For brothers who love to sport a style statement some trendy gifts are desirable. One can go in for fancy goggles, mobile cases, deodorants, perfumes, watches and belts. A bracelet style Silver or Gold Rakhi will also be appreciated by them.

Rakhi Gift Ideas for Sisters

For Sisters who are fond of Jewelry

Gift some nice jewelry items like rings, earrings or necklaces. You can go in for gold or diamonds if your budget suits otherwise artificial jewelry are a craze all over the world. Browse through some Rakhi Gifts sites and you will get ample of options.

For Fashion Conscious Sisters

Beaded and mirrored bags is an exciting and wonderful gift idea for sisters who are fashion conscious. Alternatively one can go in for nice perfumes, fancy tops or ethnic jewelry boxes.

 For Kid Sisters

Little girls love to receive cute and huggable teddy bears, chocolates or some nice stationery items. You may also gift some novels or other reference books if she is fond of reading.

 For Married Sisters

If your sister is married you can gift some household gifts like paintings or some fancy show piece. Perfume or jewelry items are other choices from which you can decide your Rakhi gift.

Rakhis For Sisters-in-law

In some parts of India, like Rajasthan and Gujrat, ladies tie a special type of rakhi, known as 'Kangan Rakhi', to their sisters-in-law as well. The 'Kangan Rakhi' is tied to the bracelet or the bangle of the ladies. First of all, women apply 'Roli Teeka' on the forehead of their sister-in-law. Then, they tie Kangan on to their sister-in-law's bangle or bracelet. Finally, they offer delicious sweets and exchange, which could be either in cash or kind.

Online Rakhi

On the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, all the brothers want to be with their sister. However, sometimes, it is just not possible. In such a case, the sisters usually send online find our Raksha bandhan Section for Exclusive collection of Rakhi’s .

History Of Raksha Bandhan:

In the Vedic period, on a 'Shravan Poornima' day (Full Moon Day of the Hindu month of Shravan), the deities and demons were fighting a battle against each other. Unfortunately the demons were in a stronger position, as compared to the deities. The king of the deities, Lord Indra, was very much worried about the result of the battle. His wife Indrani (also known as Shashikala) could not see him worried and prayed to the almighty to help her husband. Indrani was a religious lady, so she prepared a talisman with her religious power and tied it around Indra's right wrist.

Indrani believed that her talisman will safeguard Indra from the attack of demons. Eventually, she proved right, as that day, the deities won the battle and Lord Indra escaped unhurt. As the talisman had the power of protecting the person who wore it, it came to be known as 'Raksha Sutra' and the ceremony of tying it was called 'Raksha Bandhan'. Since this particular act of tying the talisman took place on 'Shravan Poornima' day, it has become a tradition to celebrate 'Raksha Bandhan' on the 'Shravan Poornima' day every year. With time, the festival came to comprise of brother-sister duo, rather than husband-wife.