A bond of love and protection

Celebrating and reaffirming the sibling bond where sisters tie a rakhi (a decorated sacred thread) on the wrist of their brothers, Raksha Bandhan was celebrated by Hindus on Thursday with fervour.
The festival symbolises trust between sisters and brothers, with a sister praying for lifelong well-being of her brother who in turn vows to help and protect her.
The festival celebrates relationship between brothers, cousins and sisters, and friends and is observed in all areas where Hindus are living.
The festival involves tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother’s wrist. The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
In Ehata Mohan Lal, the Hindu community celebrated the festival where Hindu Sudhar Sabha President Amarnath Randhawa and his family members along with other community members were also present. After pooja, Hindu girls tied sacred threads on wrists of their brothers.
Amarnath described Raksha Bandhan as a symbol of brother-sister relationship and harmonious family life, and said the festival was a bond of protection for our sisters.
“This festival reminds us that the bonds of protection aren’t just limited to our sisters, but are extended to the entire society,” he said.
“I think this festival reflects the very need for strong family relations, unity and brotherhood among all communities,” said Raj Kumari, a 65-year-old Hindu woman who has devoted her life to the service of her community.
Mohini Kumari, a 12-year-old student, is also happy after receiving a lot of gifts and chocolates from her brothers, Ameet Kumar and Sumeer Kumar.
“I love this festival because I always receive lots of gifts, chocolates and money from my brothers,” she said.
The festival grew in popularity after Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of the king of Chittor state, sent a rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun when she required his help.
Randhawa said Hindu Sudhar Sabha, a non-governmental and non-profit community development organisation, was working for the promotion of peace and co-existence in society.
He said Hindu Sudhar Sabha always remained active in promoting harmony during religious festivals. He said people belonging to all faiths including Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs were invited to the festival.
Raksha Bandhan (the bond of protection) is celebrates the relationship between brothers, cousins and sisters. It is also called Rakhi Purnima in most of India.
The central ceremony involves the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother’s wrist.
This symbolizes the sister’s love and prayers for her brother’s well-being, and the brother’s lifelong vow to protect her. The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It grew in popularity after Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of Chittor, sent a rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun when she required his help.