Being diverse in religion, languages, and culture, India celebrates many festivals yearly. One unique festival celebrated with the utmost zeal and joy is Raksha Bandhan. It means a bond of protection and is celebrated by brothers and sisters. This festival is not just limited to the Hindus but also people of different faiths.
Usually, Raksha Bandhan is observed on the full moon day or Poornima in the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar or during July-August. The festival is celebrated by tying a sacred thread called rakhi to the brother’s wrist by the sister. Brothers then give gifts to their sisters. With the changing times and the advancement of technology, the sisters who live far from their brothers send rakhi to India through online rakhi stores.
But, the different corners of India have their own unique traditions and customs and different names for the festival. So, let’s learn about how Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in different corners of India.
Kajari Purnima
In central India, people celebrate Kajari Purnima, which is very significant for the farmers. This festival marks the beginning of the wheat and barley growing season. As per tradition, only the women with sons participate in the traditional customs of the festivals. They make cups out of leaves and fill them with soil. On this occasion, they also keep a fast for the long lives of their sons.
The soil-filled cups are then placed in a dark room and worshipped for seven days before being immersed in a river or pond on Purnima or the full moon day. People then pray to Goddess Bhagwati and seek her blessings for a happy family and good harvest.
Jhulan Purnima
In states like West Bengal, Odisha, etc., people celebrate Jhulan Purnima. It’s a five-day festival that starts on the Pavitra Ekadashi and ends on the day of Raksha Bandhan. People on this festival worship Lord Krishna and Radha. The idols of Radha and Krishna are placed on a Jhula or a swing. The swings or jhulas are beautifully decorated with flowers and other decorations, and people celebrate the occasion by singing bhajans and dancing. This occasion is very important to the Vaishnavas.
Pavitropana
While many people follow the usual ritual of rakhi tying ceremony and giving return rakhi gifts to sisters, in certain parts of Gujarat, many people celebrate Pavitropana. It’s believed that those who worship Lord Shiva on this festival get rid of all their sins.
People offer water, curd, milk, and honey to the Shivalinga on all Mondays of the Shravana month. They also make a few filaments of cotton entwined with grass soaked in Panchgaiyva, which are five elements derived from a cow, like ghee, milk, urine, gobar, and curd. The thread is then tied around the Shivalinga.
Narali Purnima
People in Maharashtra celebrate Raksha Bandhan and Narali Purnima or Nariyal Purnima on the same day. They follow the usual ritual of tying a traditional or a fancy rakhi and exchanging rakhi gifts. They also celebrate Narali Purnima, dedicated to the God of the sea, Lord Varuna. This day also marks the end of the monsoon season. This festival is most important to the fishermen who pray to God Varuna and for thanksgiving.
On this occasion, the fishermen throw coconuts or nariyal in the sea. People celebrate the day with singing and dancing. They also prepare sweet coconut rice and offer coconuts as prasad. Narali Purnima also marks the beginning of the fishing season, and people pray to God for blessings.
Avani Avattam
In south India, people celebrate Shravana Purnima or Raksha Bandhan as Avani Avittam. It’s one of the most sacred and important festivals for the Brahmins of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. According to a legend, Lord Vishnu returned the stolen Vedas to Lord Brahma on this day. Hence, according to the Brahmins of ancient India, this occasion was revered as very auspicious to start Vedic studies.
The Brahmin male community observes Avani Avittam. They start their day by taking a dip in the holy bath and wearing a sacred thread called Janeu, and after some rituals, they change the threads. It’s believed that these sacred threads open the third eye of wisdom. They then take vows to fulfill their duties as Brahmins and to carry on with dignity and good conduct.
Lumba Rakhi
In Rajasthan, people celebrate Raksha Bandhan uniquely. A sister ties a sacred thread around her brother’s wrist, and he then gives her a gift. The Marwari and Rajasthani communities believe in tying a rakhi thread to the sisters-in-law also.
The sister, whose brother is married, also ties a Lumba rakhi around her bhabhi or sister-in-law’s wrist. In Rajasthan, people believe that Raksha Bandhan is only complete when a rakhi is tied to the sister-in-law, as she is the brother’s wife who loves and takes care of him.
Raksha Bandhan is one of the festivals celebrated with so much love and joy in different parts of India. Even the traditions of Raksha Bandhan celebrations have slightly changed over the years. Many siblings choose to gift rakhi with chocolates instead of sweets. Sisters now also give rakhi gifts to brothers as a token of their love and affection.