One of the biggest and cherished Hindu festivals, sisters' tie a sacred thread or Rakhi (thread for raksha or protection) on their brother's wrist and pray for their long life. Brothers' bless their sisters and give them gifts of love. This simple ceremony of Raksha Bandhan helps to strengthen the bond between siblings.

Legend goes that this festival began in the Vedic times. In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that Lord Krishna advised Yudhishthir to perform Raksha Bandhan ceremony to protect himself and the army from the dangers of the war. On Krishna's advice, Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas tied a sacred Rakhi on the wrist of her grandson Abhimanyu while Draupadi tied a Rakhi on her God-brother Lord Krishna's wrist.

Another legend says that Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) was blessed with immortality when his twin-sister Yami or Yamuna tied a Rakhi on his wrist.

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated annually on the full moon or Purnima day in the auspicious Hindu month of Shravana or Savana (July-August). For this reason Raksha Bandhan Festival is also known as Rakhi Purnima.

Preparations begin early in the morning. Sisters' take an early bath, prepare festive food, decorate Puja Thali, makes her brother sit on an asana and ties the bright thread of love and protection. They apply the tilak of saffron and perform arti. This simple ceremony is a prayer for the brother's health, happiness and longevity. Brothers' in their turn vow to protect their sister from all hardships


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