Fortune

Raksha Bandhan: 

Indian tradition and culture is adorned by different festivities and one of the precious gems among all the festivals is Raksha Bandhan. During the ancient times, this festival was known as Shravani Utsav in which people observed the ritual of tying a holy thread around a tree with a pledge to protect and honour it. As the times changed, Shravani Utsav came to be known as Raksha Bandhan and symbolized the deep loving bond shared between a sister and brother. Today, this holy festival has gained a wider acceptance and people tie rakhi on wrists of close friends and relatives too. It is now a festival that represents brotherhood and harmony among people.

Significance of Raksha Bandhan

The pious occasion of Raksha Bandhan falls on Sunday the 22nd August 2021 of Shravan month. This day is also celebrated as Shravani Purnima or Naarali Purnima. It marks the end of the holy occasion of Jhoolan Jatra. This holy day is observed in various ways in different parts of the country. In Orissa, this day is celebrated as Balabhadra pooja while in North India, it is observed as Anvadhan festival, a day to pay homage to Hayagriva, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. In Southern parts of the country, it is celebrated as Vaikhanas Jayanti. It is one of the best days for Amarnath darshana or to perform Satnarayan pooja.

Rituals to be observed on this day

• The sister wakes up and finishes self-purification rituals early in the morning on Raksha Bandhan. She keeps a fast till the rituals for the day are over.
• A thali is prepared containing all the essential things such as lamp, tilak, rakhi, rice and sweets.
• At first, the sister puts a tilak on the forehead of the brother and does an aarti. She prays to God for the well-being of her brother.
• Then she ties a rakhi on his wrist and feeds him sweets.
• While tying the rakhi, she chants the mantra, ‘Jainbaddho Baliraja Daanvendro Mahasura
• Tainkaam Prativaddhami Prativandhanami Raksho Ma chala Ma chala’   
• After this, the brother gives his sister a gift and promises to take care of her and protect her in life.
• As part of rituals, women also tie rakhi known as lumba to their sister-in-laws which strengthens their beautiful relationship.
• A rakhi should be tied on the right wrist of men and left wrist of women.

 The most auspicious time to tie Rakhi this year

This year Bhadra falls on 21st August 2021 from 19:01 to 06:14 a.m. on 22nd August 2021. Accordingly, auspicious time begins on and from 06:15 a.m. (IST) onwards Sunday the 22nd August 2021 till 10:35 hours time. Next good time is between 13 hours and 19:40 hours on Rakhi Poornima Day. It is important to note that on Sunday the 22nd August 2021 Amrit Yoga begins from 05:55 hours in the morning and will remain till 17:30 hours. As such, whole day till evening are suitable for tying scared  thread of Rakhi.

By: Dr. Surendra Kapoor | Life Within

 Renowned Vedic Astrologer 

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