Happy RakshaBandhan to all!
Rakshabandhan (Rakhi is a Hindu (traditionally) ceremonial annual festival, occurring on the Purnima (full moon night) of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan (Gregorian – August), and the central idea of which is the bond shared between a brother and a sister.
Raksha (lit. Protection) and Bandhan (lit. Bondage, but used as bond), together the nomenclature means The Bond of Protection. Called by different names in different regions, this festival is celebrated throughout the Indian subcontinent, of course with ritualistic differences. The most consistent and common theme being that of tying a protective thread (an amulet) around the wrist of the brother by his sister as a symbol of protection and thereby receiving blessings and presents in return accompanied by a promise of life-long protection by the brother.
The idea is to dedicate a separate day for this sacred relationship of a brother and sister and strengthen the bond between the two. This ceremony is traditionally done between brothers and sisters.
Other festivals on Shravan Purnima
It’s not for nothing that this day is revered by all and many different ceremonies across the Indian subcontinent are performed and different people celebrate the day differently. Some of the rituals done or festivals celebrated on this day are.
Narali Purnima (नारली पूर्णिमा): Observed in the coastal regions, Narali Purnima is dedicated to the worship of the Deity of the oceans, Varuna. Coconut (Nariyal) is offered to the sea as a gesture of gratitude.
Avani Avittam (आवनी अविट्टम): South Indians are primarily seen engaging in this ritual. On this day the sacred thread worn across the torso by Brahmins (Janeu) is changed annually. It’s taken to the banks of the river and is mostly a community ritual. Avani Avittam is also known as Upkarmanam which means commencement and this day marks the beginning of the Vedic studies by a Brahmin and the commencement of the Yajur Veda is done by the Yajur vedic Brahmins for the next six months. As for the nomenclature, here ‘Avani’ is the Tamil month and ‘Avittam’ refers to the Dhanishta Nakshatra out of the 27 Nakshatras in Vedic Jyotish.
Kajari Purnima (कजरी पूर्णिमा): Women of the household sow Kajri (wheat) in a pot and worship on the banks of rivers. It begins from Kajari Navami (9th day after the Shravana Amavasya or New moon night) and the final ritual is performed on Shravan Purnima evening. It marks the commencement of the season conducive to sowing wheat and barley and hence is of significance to the farmer communities.
Amarnath Yatra: Shravana Purnima (श्रावण पूर्णिमा) marks the final day of the Amarnath Yatra (pilgrimage journey), which begins on Guru Purnima.
Balaram Jayanti: This day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Balaram, the brother of Shri Krishna and an avatar of Sheshnag, and also known for his strength (Bala).
Hayagriva Jayanti (हयग्रीव जयंती): Celebrated as the birth anniversary of Danav Hayagriva, the son of Kashyapa and Danu and the Horse-headed Avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu.
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