From historical times Rakhi has been considered a protection bond. In the Mahabharata, there is a reference to this auspicious event. Yudhisthira asked Lord Sri Krishna how to protect himself from the approaching dangers in life. Krishna advised him to observe the Raksha Ceremony. There is also a reference to Rakhi acting as a protection bond in the Vedic Period. Indra, the king of the deities was engaged in a severe battle with the demons. As the battle unfolded the deities were continuously being driven backward and Indra was worried about the result. Then Indrani, the wife of Indra prepared a talisman and tied it around the right wrist of Indra. The talisman protected him in the battle and he finally won it. Since then the talisman was called “Raksha Sutra” because of its power to protect.
Around 300 B.C., Alexander invaded India and was thwarted by King Porus in his first attempt. This was really upsetting for Alexander’s wife and she approached King Porus to tie a Rakhi in his hand. King Porus accepted Alexander’s wife as her sister and vowed not to harm her husband in the battle. Thus the Rakhi thread protected Alexander’s life.
In modern times Rakhi threads were tied across the hands of the freedom fighters to protect them in the tough battle ahead for the liberation of the country. With time, the festival of tying Rakhi on the hand of the brother by sister evolved manifold but the real essence of the event never lost its sheen. It is one of the most important festivals in India during which sisters ask for protection and love from their brothers. For a sister, this commitment from their brother is very important because it makes them feel secure in the journey of life. On the day of the occasion, a Puja is performed in the beginning and then the sister applies tilak on the forehead of the brother and performs an arti. She then ties the Rakhi to the hand of her brother and asks for divine blessings for him. The brother expresses his gratitude for his sister and makes a pledge to shield her from all hardships in life.
Raksha Bandhan is the day for unending celebrations and merriment. Not only the brothers and sisters but all the family members come together for one of the best times. Delicious dishes are prepared in the home and sweets flow in plenty. The Rakhi threads come in attractive designs and colors. There are a number of gifts that are exchanged during the time like jewelry, cosmetics, showpieces, and the like. Rakhi for India is a big affair. It is the time for reuniting with ones who are close to one's heart. Sisters send rakhi to India to express their inner feelings for their brothers. Sending rakhi to India to brothers is a source of immense happiness. A rakhi website is always in big demand on the days to the run-up of the event. Brothers and sisters go through a rakhi website to have their pick from a number of attractive rakhis and rakhi gifts.
Rakhi collections are huge starting from zardozi rakhi, pearl rakhi, gold rakhi, silver rakhi, and many more. The numbers are bolstered with each passing year because of the new variants which flood the market. Sisters can send a rakhi to India to their brothers choosing from a wide collection. The rakhi thread reassures her of her brother’s protection all her life. It is not just that a sister sends a rakhi to her brother to show that she cares. A rakhi has more attachment to it. She parts with a slice of her heart which remains forever with her sweet brother.
