Rakshan Bandhan is the festival to celebrate the beautiful relationship shared between brothers and sisters. The festival is observed all across India every year with an age-old tradition of women of all ages tying a symbolic thread around the wrists of their brothers praying for their protection. This year, Raksha Bandhan 2021 is being observed on August 22, 2021.
Traditionally, Raksha Bandha is observed on a full moon day (Purnima) in the month of Shravan. This year, Raksha Bandhan has fallen on August 22, 2021, and like every year, vendors have stocked a wide variety of rakhis, diyas, gifts items, eatables and other items in the market. This is one Indian festival that has surpassed the boundaries of religion over the years and is regarded as one of the most auspicious events.
Date and Timings of Raksha Bandhan 2021
The date and time of Raksha Bandhan are determined by referring to the Hindu Panchang. The event is observed on a full moon day in the month of Shravan. As per News 18 reports, the best times (muhurat) for Raksha Bandhan 2021 are below.
- Muhurat for Raksha Bandhan 2021 will start at around 6.15 AM in the morning of August 22, 2021.
- From the morning of August 22, 2021, Raksha Bandhan muhurat will continue till up to 05.31 PM in the evening.
As per reports, the late afternoon time tomorrow is the best time to observe the Raksha Bandhan event. Also known as Apranha, this muhurat for the auspicious event will start from 01.42 PM in the afternoon and go on till 04.18 PM in the evening.
Significance of Rakhi and Why is It Celebrated?
The rough translation of Raksha Bandhan is the bond of protection. Indian Hindu mythology has it, that in the Mahabharatha, when Lord Krishna injured his finger with Sudarshan Chakra, Draupadi attended his wounds and tied them with a piece of cloth ripped apart from her own saree. The act of Draupadi touched Lord Krishna’s heart as it was an act of selfless love. In return, Lord Krishna promised to protect Draupadi forever.
Another historical incident holds evidence to the earliest examples of the use of a symbolic thread seeking protection. When Bahadur Shah attacked Chittor, widowed queen Karnavati wrote to emperor Humayan asking him for his protection. History has it that Karnavati sent a piece of thread to Humayun who later reclaimed Chittor and declared Karnavati’s eldest son as the King.
Essentially, the event of Raksha Bandhan is the promise of a brother to care for and protect their sisters from every harm. It is the ultimate symbol of brother-sister love in Indian society.
