Raksha Bandhan Festival – Rakhi or Raksha bandhan festival is one of the most important festivals of India and celebrated with lots of jubilance by Hindus. Raksha bandhan festival is associated with the very special relationship between brothers and sisters, on this day sisters tie a rakhi or decorative thread on the wrist of their brothers and in return brothers pledges to protect their sisters when the need arises. Marked by rakhi tying and traditional pooja ceremony, the festival of Raksha bandhan in India reinforces the protective bond and firms the loving fraternal relationship between brother & sister. Sisters wait throughout the year for this special day that lets them to express their unconditional feelings of affection and care to their brothers.

What is Rakhi Ceremony?
Rakhi festival in India that symbolizes the sweet bonding between brothers and sisters is a very significant occasion and is awaited with great zeal. To celebrate the Raksha bandhan festival, the preparations start well in advance. The families and the markets as well starts making their best efforts to make the joyous festivities of Rakshabandhan so special. On the festive day everyone gets ready very early to celebrate the occasion. After praying to God, the sisters perform the aarti of their brothers and put 'tika' and 'chawal' on their forehead, praying for their well being. Sisters tie a Rakhi thread on the wrist of brother and brothers pledges to take care of her, in any condition. On this festive occasion gifts are exchanged and special Rakhi Recipes like Ghevar, Vermicelli Kheer, Malpua, Kesar Burfi, Pista Sandesh & Rava Laddoo are prepared.

Rakhi Celebrations in India
Rakhi is celebrated in different parts of India in different ways but the significance remains the same.

• Rakhi in India (West): In the Western Region, the festival is known as Nariyal Purnima and as a ritual coconuts are thrown into the sea on this day. The festival marks the beginning of the fishing season.
• Rakhi in India (South): In South India, this festival is called Avani Avittam. It is an important day for the Brahmins where they first take a holy bath and then change their holy thread (Janeyu) chanting the mantras. They take a vow to perform their duties as prescribed in the holy books and adopt a good conduct and dignity.
• Rakhi in India (North): In North India, Rakhi Purnima is also called Kajri Purnima or Kajri Navami, when wheat or barley is sown. Goddess Bhagwati is worshiped and farmers seek her blessings for a good crop.
• Rakhi in India (East): The great Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore initiated the 'Rakhi Utsava' (Rakhi tying ceremony) in Shanti Niketan to maintain universal brotherhood long back in 1905 at the time of Bengal Partition. But the custom is continued till date by the students of the Shanti-Niketan.

Importance of Raksha Bandhan Festival
Sister tieing rakhi on brothers wristIndia is the land of fairs and festivals, and togetherness of relationships is the main essence of festive celebrations. Rakhi festival is also a celebration of such relationship between sisters and brothers. The rakhi tying ceremony has become an integral part of the Indian families and brothers and sisters, in any condition, try to reach out to each other on this day that binds the entire family in an emotional bond. Although, Rakhi is a bond of care and affection between brother & sister but it goes way beyond it. Rakhi also signifies the peaceful co-existence of every individual, promotes the feeling of unity and encourage the harmonious social life.

Different Types of Rakhi Threads
Keeping up with time, the Rakhi Thread has become more fashionable and trendy. It flaunts the amalgamation of tradition and modern lifestyle of people. Modern rakhi is available in different shapes, sizes and materials. It can even be made of gold attached with diamonds. In the Indian market, few interesting varieties of rakhi are as the following:

• Beads Rakhi
• Cartoon Rakhi, Toy Rakhi
• Currency Note/Coin Rakhi
• Floral Rakhi
• Gold-Silver coated Rakhi
• Musical Rakhi
• Divine Rakhi - Ram Rakhi, Shree-Om Rakhi
• Resham Rakhi
• Sandalwood Rakhi
• Bhaiya-Bhabhi Rakhi

History of Raksha Bandhan
Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun During the medieval era, Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions. Rakhi at that time meant a spiritual binding and protection of sisters was foremost. A famous incident relates how rakhi by then had broken the religious barriers. When Rani Karnawati the widowed queen of the king of Chittor realised that she could in no way defend the invasion of the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun. The Emperor touched by the gesture started off with his troops without wasting any time.

Alexander The Great and King Puru
The oldest reference to the festival of rakhi goes back to 300 B.C. at the time when Alexander invaded India. It is said that the great conqueror, King Alexander of Macedonia was shaken by the fury of the Indian king Puru in his first attempt. Upset by this, Alexander's wife, who had heard of the Rakhi festival, approached King Puru. King Puru accepted her as his sister and when the opportunity came during the war, he refrained from Alexander.