India is a land of diversity and culture. While nationwide plenty of cultures can be seen, one thing is for sure the festivals bind all the people together, bringing unity in diversity into play. Like all these festivals, Raksha Bandhan 2022 is yet another festival celebrated far and wide, not just in India, but in far-off nations. This festival marks the pure and pious bond that siblings share, especially the one between brothers and their sisters.
The festival is celebrated every year, and the Rakhi 2022 date has turned out to be 11 August 2022. The main reason behind the celebration of this festival is that on this day, sisters thank their brothers for protecting them, and the brothers in return vow to keep doing this duty of theirs throughout their lifetime.
Going according to the literal terminology, the term Raksha Bandhan is made up of two words- “Raksha”, and “Bandhan”. Now according to this, where the term “Raksha” means protection, the term “Bandhan” means to tie, thus giving the in-depth meaning of the festival, which is to tie the knot of protection. This festival is not just related to those bound through a proper bloodline, and even the previous years of history of Raksha Bandhan support this claim.
Where is Raksha Bandhan celebrated?
The festival of Raksha Bandhan is not restricted to the boundaries of India alone. With nations sharing similar beliefs that of India, the festival is celebrated far and wide. The festival is not bound by the shackles of nationality, rather it is backed by Hindu belief, therefore wherever you find Hindus, there is a strong possibility of them celebrating this festival. As a matter of fact, some countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, and some other parts of the world celebrate it too. Now the auspicious Raksha Bandhan time or the golden time might vary for people according to the time zones, even the date for Rakhi 2022 might differ, yet these people celebrate the festival since this is somewhere close to their hearts.
Even with the varying time zones, dates, and nations, the celebrations and beliefs don’t change, the thought behind the festival doesn’t change, and the main value of the festival doesn’t change, this is the magic of Rakhi.
The historical significance of Raksha Bandhan
The Hindu mythology offers a vast and vivid account of the reasons why this festival came to be, and the values upheld by the same. Even though there are plenty of stories revolving around the origin of the Raksha Bandhan in India, some of them enlisted below:
- Going by the legends of the Bhavishya Purana, there was a time when there was a fierce battle between gods and demons. Lord Indra the principal deity of sky, rains, and thunderbolts who was fighting the battle on the side of the gods was having a tough resistance from the important demon King, Bali. The war continued for a long time and didn’t come to a decisive end. Seeing this, Indra’s woman Sachi went to Lord Vishnu, who gave her a holy cuff made up of cotton thread. Sachi tied the holy thread around the wrist of her hubby, Lord Indra who eventually defeated the demons and recovered the Amaravati. The older account of the jubilee described these holy vestments to be phylacteries that were used by women for prayers and were tied to their hubby when they were leaving for war. The present celebration differs from the past, and it is evident from how the festivities have evolved, and continue to do so.
- The Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana also talk about the reference history of Raksha Bandhan. When Lord Vishnu took over the three worlds from King Bali, the king of demons, Lord Vishnu was asked to stay in the palace with the demon king. The Lord accepted the request and started living with the demon king. Still, Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu wanted to return to his native place of Vaikuntha. So, she tied the rakhi around the wrist of the demon king, Bali, and made him a family. On asking about the return gift, Goddess Lakshmi asked Bali to free her hubby from the oath and let him return to Vaikuntha. Bali agreed to the request and Lord Vishnu returned to his place with his beloved.
Raksha Bandhan Date and Muhurat timing
For every auspicious occasion, it is better done in that golden hour itself. Some might call it to hocus pocus, but there is scientific backing to this fact as well. Growing on this fact, Indian festivals and the proceeding festivities have always proceeded according to the same. That is why, for Raksha Bandhan 2022, which will fall on 11 August 2022 the golden hours need to be known as well.
This festival, which is observed on the holy day of Shravan Purnima, the day is also referred to as Rakhi Purnima. The period of Rakhi Purnima will commence at 10:38 a.m. on August 11, 2022, and will go on up to 7:05 a.m on August 12, 2022. Despite all this, the Shubh Muhurat for Raksha Bandhan 2022 will continue for merely 22 minutes, with the time range for the same falling between 8:51 p.m and 9:13 p.m. Start prepping early as you don’t want to miss out on this narrow window.
Also Read: Places to visit on Raksha Bandhan in India 2022
How is Raksha Bandha Celebrated
The best thing about the Rakhi festival in India is that it is a simple, yet beautiful festival in itself. No pomp and show in the name of festivities, rather a plain, pure, and simple celebration, just like it is supposed to be, that is what makes the celebrations even unique.
- In the northern side region of India like Uttarakhand conforming to the Kumaon region, the Raksha Bandhan festival is celebrated with the changing of “Janau” vestments that are worn around the torso. The jubilee isn’t just linked to family and family but indeed to all sisters. The occasion is called by the same name but the mode of festivity in this part of India is a bit different. Piecemeal from this, a show is also conducted in the Champawat region on this day.
- In places like Jammu, the Rakhi festival is celebrated in an entirely different manner. It begins with the Kite flying jubilee which begins a month before the main jubilee with the active participation of the locals. People fly a wide range of harpies that are of different shapes, colors, and designs. These harpies are also flown with special strings by the people.
- In the Rajasthani and Marwadi communities, women tie rakhi on the wrist of their family’s woman or the Sister-in-law ( Bhabhi). The custom is followed as the woman of the family is responsible for the well-being of their family and being a part of the family, her well-being is important for the whole family as well.
Read more: Best Places To Visit on Rakhi
Rituals of Raksha Bandhan-
On the day of Raksha Bandhan in India, brothers and sisters wear new clothes and celebrate the jubilee in the presence of their parents, elders, and grandparents. The ritual involves lighting a diya or earthen beacon which represents the fire deity and performing of aarti by the sisters. They perform prayers for the well-being of their brothers and apply a” tilak” on the forehead of their brothers, asking the deities to bless them. Along with this, a portion of sweet/ cake or dry fruits is offered to the brother as a prasad, and eventually, the rakhi is tied around the wrist of the brother.
Gifts on Raksha Bandhan
After the rakhi is tied around the wrist, now the brother offers special rakhi return gifts to his sister. The gift can be anything or everything. It is totally up to the brothers, as this tradition is not customary but introduced by the people themselves.
Food and sweets on Raksha Bandhan
Some people prefer to sit down and enjoy special meals on the day followed by delicious sweets. Then again, this practice is not followed by everyone, people do it just because they feel like it.
Conclusion
While there might be hundreds and thousands of festivals celebrated across India, celebrated among people of different cultures, caste, and what not. But, Raksha Bandhan festival 2022 is one such festival that breaks away from all these boundaries, allowing the bonds to prosper and shine. Celebrated far and wide, in countries big and small, by the rich and poor alike, this festival truly ties the people in a deep and eternal bond. Celebrate this year’s Raksha Bandhan with HotelDekho.com by booking hotels in India, tour packages, and activities at discounted prices.
