Rakshabandhan 2024: One of the most loved festivals in India since times immemorial is Rakshabandhan, portraying the holy relationship between brother and sister. This year, it is going to fall tomorrow on 19/08/2024. Traditionally, the festival was marked with sisters tying rakhi or the holy thread on brothers’ wrists, thereby signifying her love and prayers for her brother’s health and prosperity, while the brothers pledged to protect their sisters throughout life. The simple yet profound ritual is thus handed down generations, but like all traditions, Rakshabandhan has evolved with time.
Traditional Roots and Symbolism
The real roots of Rakshabandhan lie in a number of mythological stories and historical events. One such well-known legend is the one from the epic Mahabharata, where Draupadi, on seeing bleeding wrists of Krishna, immediately tore a strip from her sari and tied it around his wrist to stop the bleeding, and in turn, Krishna vowed to protect her all her life. This storyline infuses into the essence of this festival—protection, care, and mutual respect.
This festival was more prevalent in villages before, where it was a time when all the family members could get together. Sisters used to travel to their brothers’ places, sometimes covering long distances. The rakhi itself was just a thread, sometimes laced with some grains of rice or a tiny flower. There was not much of an exchange of gifts between siblings; it was more of a ritual and the feeling behind it that mattered.
Modern Celebrations and Innovations
The celebration of Rakshabandhan, too, has modernized with the modernization of society. The festival, which earlier remained restricted to the villages in rural India, gathered new dimensions when it entered urban landscapes. Rakshabandhan, which is basically a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters, extends today to include siblings of all kinds: cousins, friends, and even close neighbors.
Even the rakhis themselves have changed. What earlier used to be a simple thread is now available in a host of designs—from colorful and intricate to eco-friendly and personalized. Some come embedded even with technological elements, such as LED lights or QR codes that lead to heartfelt messages or videos.
It has also become an important part of gifting. From today, the brothers and sisters are giving each other all sorts of gifts ranging from chocolates and sweets to gadgets and fashion accessories. Online shopping and e-commerce have made it easy for siblings living far apart to send rakhis and gifts to their siblings keeping the tradition alive even in long distance relationships.
Virtual Rakshabandhan and Global Celebrations
In the age of the Internet and social media, Rakshabandhan too has gone virtual. With families spread across the globe, several siblings celebrate the festival via video calls, with e-rakhis a fast-growing trend. This digital evolution has ensured that the emotional connect of Rakshabandhan stays intact, even when physical presence is not possible.
The festival has also gained global recognition in that Indian communities around the world celebrate Rakshabandhan in their own varied ways. It has become a way of promoting cultural heritage and, therefore, unity among Indians living abroad.