Raksha Bandhan

By Yasti

Where is this holiday celebrated?

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in India.

Who celebrates this holiday?

Brothers and sisters celebrates this holiday.

Why do people celebrate this

holiday?
It is celebrates so brothers can protect their sisters.
And sisters pray to god so god can protect their
brothers. They tie a rakhi for bond of protection.

When does this holiday take place?

The holiday is always in August on the full moon but the

date changes. The next celebration is on August 29,
2015.

What are some traditions of this

holiday?
There is a ceremony with the whole
family where sisters tie a rakhi to
their brother and feeds laddu to
him. The sister ties the rakhi to her
brothers wrist as a bond of
protection. The brother gives a small
token of love to the sister. After the
sister says the prayer the sister
applies a tilak, a colorful mark on the
forehead of her brother.

Are there special foods eaten for this

holiday?
The special food eaten for Raksha Bandhan is called
laddu, which sisters fed brothers. Laddu is round and
yellow. It is a sweet.

Are there special decorations for this

holiday?
There are NO
decorations,
but there are
thousands of
different kinds
of rakhi.

Legends of Raksha Bandhan

Santoshi Ma
Ganesh a Hindu God, had two sons, Shubh and Labh. On
Raksha Bandhan, Ganeshs sister visited and tied a Rakhi
on Ganeshs wrist. The two boys become frustrated that
they have no sister to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with.
They ask their father Ganesh for a sister, but he said no.
Finally, Saint Narada appears who persuades Ganesh that
a daughter will enrich him as well as his sons. Ganesh
agreed, and created a daughter named Santoshi Ma by
divine flames that emerged from Ganeshs wives, Rddhi
and Siddhi. Then, Shubh and Labh had a sister named
Santoshi Ma, who loved and protected each other.

Fun Facts
Raksha Bandhan in sanskrit
literally means the tie or knot
of protection.
This Hindu festival celebrates
the love and duty between
brothers and their sisters.
The sister can make a rahki or
buy one from the market.

Video