Raksha Bandhan is celebrated to honor and celebrate the bond of love, care, and protection between brothers and sisters. The festival's name means "the bond of protection," where sisters tie a colorful thread called a rakhi on their brother's wrist. In return, brothers promise to protect their sisters and often give them a gift. It symbolizes both physical protection and emotional support, emphasizing lifelong companionship and loyalty. The celebration is rooted in various Hindu legends, including a famous story from the Mahabharata about the god Krishna and Draupadi, where Draupadi tied a piece of her saree to bandage Krishna's injured finger, prompting him to promise to protect her. There are also historical and mythological accounts involving deities like Indra, Lakshmi, and Vishnu, illustrating the tradition's significance beyond just siblings, extending to friends, neighbors, and even community protectors like soldiers. Raksha Bandhan transcends biological relationships, symbolizing love, duty, and mutual respect across diverse social bonds. It is celebrated mainly on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Sravana, typically in August, with sisters praying for their brothers' prosperity, health, and well-being, while brothers vow to safeguard their sisters from harm.
