The
annual "festival" of Raksha Bandhan, which is meant to
commemorate the abiding ties between siblings of opposite sex, usually
takes place in late August, and is marked by a very simple ceremony
in which a woman ties a rakhi — which may be a colorful thread,
a simple bracelet, or a decorative string — around the wrist
of her brother(s). The word "raksha" signifies protection,
and "bandhan" is an association signifying an enduring
sort of bond; and so, when a woman ties a rakhi around the wrist
of her brother, she signifies her loving attachment to him. He,
likewise, recognizes the special bonds between them, and by extending
his wrist forward, he in fact extends the hand of his protection
over her.
The Raksha Bandhan festival has been celebrated
in the same way for centuries. The tiny silk threads pull the
siblings together and make the bonds even stronger. It is the
celebration of the brother sister love. It is the reminder of
brotherly duties and a repeat and renewal of a sisters wishes.
It is the celebration of being a part of the family. The delicate
thread is symbolic of the peaceful coexistence of not only the
siblings but of the whole human race.
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