RAKSHABANDHAN
Rakhi

NIMENCLATURE

Rakhi : This may just be a simple colored thread. But now a days costly Rakhis are available where a decorated piece made of foam, colored cotton,  colored  papers, decorative tinkles and what not are used.
Dakshina : fee for conducting religious rites.
Gosauin : Family Goddess
Poornima: Full Moon day

  BACK (festivals)

  HOME

  It is celebrated throughout India as a festival where sisters tie colorful and decorative Rakhis on the wrist of brothers and receive gifts or money in return. Sisters send Rakhis by post as well. Packets containing Rakhi and sweets can be ordered by email. This practice has also invaded Mithilanchal in a big way, just like cutting cakes on birthdays. A cultural invasion so to say.

  In Mithilanchal, the festival where sisters perform rites for the well being of brothers are : Bhratri Dwitiya and Sama. So far Rakhi is concerned, it was a practice to offer Rakhis and sweets to the family goddess (Gosauin) in a special pooja on Shravan Poornima day and then the priest or the elder ties the Rakhi on the right wrist of males and left wrist of females (a practice not followed outside Mithilanchal)   after they have taken bath, reciting the following sloka:

   MEANING: The thread, (consecrated by Vrihaspati and given to Indra) that bound Bali known for valor and philanthropy, I am using to bind you as a shield against evil and it will stay unmoved  unmoved.

  The family priest (Pundit) also brings Rakhi as prasad  and ties it on the wrist of Yajman and get some money (dakhina) in return. People have started frowning upon this practice as a Brahminical rite but fail to realize the sense of blessing that it accompanies.

TOP