Rakhi Customs & Traditions in India
As per Rakhi customs – on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, sisters would decorate a puja thali (a plate). All the necessary pooja items including roli (for tilak), akshat (rice grains for tilak), diya or deep (for performing the aarti of their brother), sweets and the Rakhi are beautifully arranged in the thali. First, the sisters would put tilak on the forehead of their brother and then stick some of the akshat to the same tilak. Thereafter, they would perform an Aarti of their brothers. After that, they tie the Rakhi on the right wrist of their brothers. While performing the ritual, sisters generally chant the following ‘mantra’:
“Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej
Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee”
This is the blessings of a sister for her brother, which means:
“The sun radiates its sunlight; the radish spreads its seeds, I tie the Rakhi to you O brother and wish that may you live long.”
After her prayer for a long life for her brother, she says that she is tying the ever-protective Raksha to her brother’s wrist and chants the mantra:
“Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah
tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala”
This is a ‘mantra’ mentioned in the ‘Hindu Shastras’ and means:
“I am tying a Rakhi on you, like the one on mighty demon king Bali. Be firm, O Rakhi, do not falter.”
According to Rakhi customs – after tying the Rakhi, the sisters sweeten the mouth of their brothers with sweets. Then, it is brother’s turn to give some gifts to their sisters in return of the beautiful Rakhi. This gift can be either in cash or in kind. Sometimes sisters also give return gifts to their brothers. Thus, on the festive occasion of Rakhi brothers and sisters wish happy long life, success, prosperity and health to each other. At last they seek the blessings of their parents and other elderly people in their family. After that, they went to visit their relatives to enjoy this special festival with them.