A day to celebrate the bond of a brother and sister. No matter how what No matter how much they may fight or pull each other’s legs. The ‘bond of protection’ is all about the love brothers and sisters share. On this occasion, a girl or a woman puts a tilak on her brother’s forehead and ties a rakhi around his wrist in a ritual that reaffirms the bond and support of her brother(s).

The origins of the festival are hard to trace, but there are many legends, myths attached to it. According to one, when Alexander, the Great invaded India, his wife Roxana sent a sacred thread to Porus asking him not to harm her husband in the battle. In other legend, the widowed queen Rani Karnavati of Chittor sent a raakhi to Moghul Emperor, Humanyu to defend Chittor against the invasion by Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat.

Observed on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shravan, Rakshabandhan steeped in. The Rakshabandhan was perhaps the only festival, in India’s struggle for freedom that was used to send a signal to the British Raj. Rabindra Nath Tagore also started the Rakhi festival in Shantiniketan to give the message of universal brotherhood and humanity. This year it coincides with Independence day. Let’s celebrate both with joy and pray for happiness, peace for all.