Raksha Bandhan 2021 – Date, History, Rituals, Quotes

The bond between a brother and sister is unmatched to any other. In a country like India, where family comes first always, the bond between a brother and sister is regarded as a sacred one. Brothers and sisters have each other’s backs from dawn until dusk in the journey of life. Regardless of the many pointless and silly fights that are inevitable in a brother-sister relationship, the love for each other is unaffected under any circumstance. This is the true beauty of a Brother- Sister bond. In order to celebrate this special bond, people observe Raksha Bandhan. On this unique day, sisters tie a talisman or amulet around their brothers wrists, known as “Rakhi”. So, let us take a little time to appreciate the unique sibling bond of a brother and sister. Read about Raksha Bandhan 2021 in this article.

Raksha Bandhan 2021

To begin with, “Raksha Bandhan” literally means “A Bond of Protection”. It is also called Rakhi Purnima, Saluno, Ujjwal Silono, Rakri, Narali Purnima, Janai Purnima or simply Rakhi.  Raksha Bandhan is a popular festival observed by the people of India to celebrate the sacred bond between a brother and a sister. It is a lifelong promise to be there for each other during the good times as well as the bad. Commonly observed by the people who believe in Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism, it is a religious and cultural festival. It symbolizes the importance of family ties in Indian culture.

On the day of Raksha Bandhan, sisters (irrespective of their ages) tie a talisman or amulet around the wrists of their brothers. This talisman, called as “Rakhi” is a symbolic lucky charm that shoos away all the harm coming their way. In return, the brothers surprise the sisters with thoughtful gifts. They also pledge to take care of their sisters at all times.

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Raksha Bandhan 2021 Date

As per the mythology, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the last full moon day of the Hindu Calendar month Shravana. This usually falls in the months of July or August in the Gregorian calendar.

Raksha Bandhan 2021 Date – 22 August, Sunday

As per the Hindu calendar, Raksha Bandhan 2021 falls on 22nd day of August. As per the popular belief, the best time to tie Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan is during Aparahna or late afternoon. Given below are some of the auspicious mahurats or times for various rituals on Rakhsha Bandhan 2021.

• Rakhi Ceremony Time – 06:15 AM to 05:31 PM
• Aparahna Mahurat –  01:42 PM to 04:18 PM
• Bhadra End Time – 06:15 AM
• Bhadra Punchha – 02:19 AM to 03:27 AM
• Bhadra Mukha – 03:27 AM to 05:19 AM
• Purnima Tithi End – 05:31 PM

As the date of this festival depends on the moon sightings and Hindu calendar, it is subject to change every year. However, in the upcoming years, Raksha Bandhan is ought to fall on the following dates:

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History of Raksha Bandhan

The history of celebrating the unique Brother-Sister bond dates back to the times of Mahabharata. The story goes like this- During a battle against King Shishupal, when Krishna  injured his fingers while using the Sudarshanan Chakra, Draupati immediately responded by tearing a piece of cloth from her sari and tying it on Krishna’s fingers to stop bleeding. This simple gesture moved Krishna greatly and he vowed to protect and care for her always like own sister. 

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Significance

The beautiful festival of Raksha Bandhan is not solely meant to be celebrated anong blood sisters and brothers. It can be celebrated to show gratitude to any individual who has a spot similar to a sibling in your heart. 

Here is a history behind this. When the British were keen on the policy to Divide and Rule Bengal on the basis of religion, Rabintra Nath Tagore launched a mass protest against this. As a matter of fact, he urged the muslim women in the region to tie a Rakhi to the men of other community with the aim of forming a sibling bond. So, on this special day, tie a Rakhi to any one who has a close connection with you and need not necessarily be a blood brother.

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Raksha Bandhan Quotes

In this section of the article, we have tried to collect some beautiful quotes about the equally adorable brother-sister bond from around the globe. Have a read!

• “Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero”- Marc Brown
• “Sisters and brothers just happen, we don’t get to choose them, but they become one of our most cherished relationships.” – Wes Adamson
• “Big sisters are the crab grass in the lawn of life.” — Charles M. Schulz
• “A ministering angel shall my sister be.” — William Shakespeare
• “If you have a brother or sister, tell them you love them every day — that’s the most beautiful thing.” — Amaury Nolasco
•  “A sibling is the lens through which you see your childhood.” — Ann Hood
• “Sister is our first friend and second mother.” — Sunny Gupta
• “Sisters and brothers are the truest, purest forms of love, family and friendship, knowing when to hold you and when to challenge you, but always being a part of you.” — Carol Ann Albright Eastman
• “Your parents leave you too soon and your kids and spouse come along late, but your siblings know you when you are in your most inchoate form.” — Jeffrey Kluger
•  “Our brothers and sisters bring us face to face with our former selves and remind us how intricately bound up we are in each other’s lives.” — Jane Mersky Leder

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Raksha Bandhan Rituals

In many regions of India, Rakhsha Bandhan is celebrated with utmost love and vigour. Peeple start preparing for the big day well in advance. Here are some of the unavoidable preparations and rituals associated with Rakhsha Bandhan.

Rakhi Shopping

Girls and women who celebrate Raksha Bandhan go for Rakhi shaping many days prior itself. They put great effort and care to choose the best Rakhi that suits their brother’s character and personality. Likewise, boys and men purchase gifts for their adorable sisters to be given as Rakhi gifts. Sometimes, people tend to create hand made gifts for their siblings by sacrificing their own time and efforts, showing how much it means to them. This process of Rakhi shopping is loved by all irrespective of gender and age.

Rakhi Day Bath and Prayer

On the auspicious Raksha Bandhan Day, it is customary for people to take a ritualistic bath and then head for prayer along with the other members of the family. This symbolizes worshipping God in a pure state on the special day to strengthen the bond between the brother and sister.

Decorating the Rakhi Puja Thali

Now, this is a favorite amongst the girls. They put their whole heart into decorating the Rakhi Puja Thali and make it look astonishing. All the essentials for the Rakhi puja are arranged beautifully on a big and attractive plate called “Thali”.

Adorning the Tilak / Tika

As the Raksha Bandhan Puja begins, the sister applies a tilak or tika of Kumkum on the forehead of her brother. This is a most important tradition that is followed by the Hindus across the country. It symbolises wisdom or the third eye.

Rakhi Aarti

As on all major festivals or celebrations in the Hindu Culture, Aarti is performed on the Raksha Bandhan Day also. It is basically done to eliminate any evils or harm that is bound to the way. It is also believed to keep the person away from any sort of danger.

Tying the Rakhi

The most important ritual of the Raksha Bandhan is tying the Rakhi itself. The sister lovingly adorns the wrist of her brother with a Rakhi or a talisman. It is believed to keep the brother away from all dangers and evil things. This part of the celebration usually ends up emotional as brother and sister promise to fulfill their duties towards each other until the end of the time.

Return Gifts

As the Rakhi is tied on the hands of the brother, now is the time of the exciting part. Brothers give return gifts from their lovable sisters as a token of love and gratitude for everything that their sister has done.

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Raksha Bandhan Celebrations

Today irrespective of the religion and region, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated throughout the country. Apart from the mandatory Raksha Bandhan rituals, there are numerous possible activities that will help you to create a memorable day. Here are some of them listed out for you:

Go on a Drive

Once you are done with all the Raksha Bandhan rituals and ceremonies, why not go for a drive with your sibling? Often, siblings are the people that have seen you at the best and the worst. Take some time to open up with your brother and sister during a short and crisp drive on this special day. Speak your heart out and assure to be there for each other until the very end.

Cook together

It is often said that food brings the whole family together. And yes! We know that it is said for a reason. On this special day, cook something that you both love. Do the entire process of cooking together by helping out each other and see the magic unfold eventually!

Watch a Movie

If you have the time, pick up a movie that aptly shows the brother- sister bond and watch it out for no particular reason! We are sure, at the end, you will reminisce about the pure bond with your brother or sister.

Engage in charity work

What could be a better way to observe Raksha Bandhan?! When there are millions of under privileged in every nook and corner of the country, how can we tend to forget them? Pledge yourself to engage in some meaningful charity work that will help to uplift the lives of your brothers and sisters that are deprived of even the basic essentials.

Design a Rakhi 

If you are someone who loves to create or is crafty, then take some time to design a unique rakhi. Use your imagination and ideas and create a unique rakhi that best suits your brother’s personality. He will love it for sure!

A Concluding Note

In a true sense, sibling play a very crucial role in the lives of one another. While providing the warmth and love similar to parents they surely are meant to be life time friends. So, appreciate the little things that you do in each others lives and promise to maintain an eternal bond. Happy Raksha Bandhan to all the dear readers! Have a Great One this time!

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