रक्षा बंधन
Raksha Bandhan
Sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers' wrists on Shravana Purnima, and brothers promise to protect them.
About Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan falls on Shravana Purnima. Raksha means protection and bandhan means bond. Sisters tie a sacred thread on their brothers' wrists and pray for their wellbeing.
The rakhi is traditionally tied in the afternoon, and never during Bhadra, which is considered inauspicious. The same full moon is Shravani, when the sacred thread is changed.
How to celebrate
Prepare a thali with rakhi, roli, rice, a diya and sweets.
Apply tilak to your brother and do aarti.
Tie the rakhi on his right wrist while praying for his long life.
Share sweets. Brothers give a gift and a promise of protection.
Do
- Tie the rakhi after Bhadra has ended
- Face east while tying the rakhi
Avoid
- Tying the rakhi during Bhadra kaal
The story
When Krishna cut his finger, Draupadi tore a strip from her sari and tied it around the wound. Krishna promised to protect her, and kept his word when she was humiliated in the Kaurava court.
Questions
When is Raksha Bandhan in 2026?
Raksha Bandhan 2026 is on Friday, 28 August 2026. Purnima tithi begins at 9:08 AM on Thursday 27 August and ends at 9:48 AM on Friday 28 August IST.
What is Bhadra and why is it avoided?
Bhadra is an inauspicious period in the first half of the Purnima tithi. Rakhi is tied only after it ends.
Can a rakhi be tied to someone who is not a brother?
Yes. Rakhis are tied to cousins, friends, soldiers and even trees, as a promise of mutual care.
Around Raksha Bandhan
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
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