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Sunday, 7 August 2011

Raksha bandhan

In India,all  festivals are calebrated with a spirit of vigour,and joy.People look forward to the festivals.Festivities and festivals are inseparable.People dance and sing and indulge in merry making. Good food is an integral  part of these celebrations.So far so good.The real spirit behind the festival is forgotten. In India  there are a large number of festivals .Most of these  have a religious   or social significance. Some festivals are of national importance, while others have a regional flavour.
Raksha Bandhan,falls on Purnima day of the month of  Sravana.. 
This year the festival will be celebrated on the 13th August 2011.Sisters tie a colorful thread on the wrist of their Brothers.Many people, especially youngsters,  are not aware of the background and significance of this practice. There are many legends associated with the festival. According to a popular  saying, it is believed that a Hindu queen, after being widowed, sent a thread to a Mughal Emperor, to protect her from the onslaugt of his soldiers, who were intoxicated with their victory.The king, on his part ,protected her modesty. This gave fillip to the  custom already  in vogue , since time immemorial!.It signifies a special bond between the siblings. The brothers and sisters pray for the well being , good health,and prosperityof each other.They exchange sweets and gifts mutually. Rakhi should be celebrated in the spirit in which it originated. It should not depict a vulgar show of wealth.
The Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is mainly celebrated in North India by Hindus and Muslims.In some areas, the village priest  ties a  red coloured thread on the wrist of the seniors of the village and pray for their well being and a prosperous life and get Guru Dakshina in return. Perhaps, the modern day Friendship Band is an extension of Raksha Bandhan in a different  form.
Happy Rakhi wishes  to every one! May all be blessed. Let us spread the message of love, good will and mutual trust  among ourselves and the society.!

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