Raksha Bandhan 2021 is going to be celebrated with great zest in India. Know more about Rakhi celebrations 2021:
In India, Rakhi is celebrated with lot of fun and frolic. Besides tying of Rakhis on the brother's hand, gift exchanges, relishing tempting and mouth-watering sweets, lots of other elements are also present. These acts make the Rakhi festival all the more interesting and one is always looking forward for this day to arrive.
It is not the rituals, customs and traditions that change over the time but the celebration styles and perspectives that become contemporary. For centuries this festival has been celebrated in the same way. The traditions are followed with the same enthusiasm. The gaieties have only blown up to a large scale. It is the celebration of the chaste bond of love amongst the siblings.
The preparations begin much in advance. Some twenty days ahead of the festival you can see colorful Rakhis in the market. Girls start the shopping and preparations quite early. They shop for new clothes and buy Rakhis specially the ones that have to be sent to the brothers staying far. The sweet shops, the garment shops, gift shops, all are flooded with things to attract people.
On the Raksha Bandhan day, the festivities start by the day break. Every one gets ready early and gathers for the worship of the deities. After invoking the blessings of the Gods, the sister performs brother's Arti, puts Tika and Chawal on his forehead and ties Rakhi amongst chanting of mantras. Then she gives him sweets and gifts. The brother accepts her offerings and vows to take care of her and be by her side in the time of need. As a token he gives the sister a return gift and sweets.
The Raksha Bandhan ceremony ends here and the celebrations begin. The family reunion itself is the reason for celebration. Tasty dishes, sweets, gifts, sing and dance and what not. Any Indian festival is incomplete without this.
For those siblings who for distances are not able to meet, it is a day for remembering the bygone time when the day was celebrated together. Emotions are expressed through emails, e cards, rakhi greeting cards, and Rakhis through Internet or mail. Nothing on this day can stop the overflowing emotions.
Congregations like Rakhi Mahotsavas were started by Rabindra Nath Tagore in Shantiniketan. He started this to propagate the feeling of brotherhood amongst people. This invoked trust and feeling of peaceful coexistence. The festival for them is a symbol of harmony. The tradition continues as people tie Rakhis to the neighbors and close friends. It is a festival denoting National sentiments of harmony.
Mehendi:
Ladies have always been fond of putting Mehendi on their palms. But during the festival of Rakhi, Mehendi has special importance. On the occasion of Rakhi, they decorate each others' palms with different styles of Mehendi such as Marwadi, Shekhawati or Mumbaiya style. Thus, Mehendi has become a part of the Rakhi festival.
Dressing of Brothers and Sisters:
- Brothers: On the auspicious day of Rakhi, the brothers usually prefer to go for traditional outfits like Kurta-Pyjamas, Pathan Suits, Kurta-Jeans etc. Sometimes they also like to wear formal outfits like Shirt with Trousers or Shirts with Jeans.
- Sisters: The sisters, if married, mostly love to tie designer sarees with little or heavy zari work. The unmarried sisters go for Salwar-Kurta, Chudidaar-Kurta, Saree, Lehengas, Parellels- Short Kurtas or other apparels.
- Rakhi Cards: In modern times, when a large number of the brothers and sisters stay away from each other due to their educational, job or married life responsibilities, they send Rakhi-Cards to each other. They express their feelings towards each other with the help of beautiful Rakhi-Cards, with a printed message, available in the market. The sisters, who are not able to reach their brothers on this auspicious day, send the Rakhi for their brothers through postal or courier services and also through online shopping portals.
- Markets: On the festive occasion of Rakhi, the markets are decorated profusely. Wide variety of colorful and beautiful fancy and designer Rakhi is available in the market. These are made of Resham or Zari threads and are decorated with different items like beads, semi-precious stones or imitation jewelry, sometimes also with silver and gold. Price of Rakhi varies according to the materials used in making them.
