August 29, 2007	Wednesday	Sha’aban 15, 1428

JACOBABAD, Aug 28: Hindu girls across the province tied Rakhis, an armband largely made from threads, rounds the wrists of their brothers on the Raksha Bandhan festival on Tuesday.

According to Hindu mythology, the festival started the day when the eldest brother Udishtar, who was one of the five brothers among Panj Pandav, asked Kirshan Bhagwan to tell him how he could remain safe and secure from the troubles. Shri Kirshan Bhagwan told Udhister to celebrate “Raksha Bandhan” festival as it would keep him safe, so the myth goes.

Sisters tie Rakhi round the wrists of their brothers and pray for their long life and prosperity while the brothers pray for the long life of their sisters and present them gifts on the day.

By tying Rakhi the sisters hand over the responsibility of their protection in difficult times to their brothers, thus help strengthen their relationship.

Rakhi started as a simple thread but it evolved into a type of beautiful bracelet over time with many colours and tiny statuettes of goddesses attached to it.

Rakhi is mainly imported from India and Panchayati Bazaar in Jacobabad is known for its sale where they are available in many colours and designs.

Our Hyderabad bureau adds: This year’s Raksha Bandhan festival has become more significant because the day has coincided with full moon, a named “Satya Narain” in Hindu mythology.

It is very rare that Raksha Bandhan and Satya Narain are held on the same day. Satya Narain signifies Hindu women’s devotion to their husbands when they observe fast from dawn to dusk for the safety and long life of their men.

ROBBERY: Three armed bandits robbed a Hindu family of Rs15,000 and 50 tola of gold jewellery after breaking into Deewan Chand’s house in broad daylight on Tuesday.

The robbers held the family hostage at gunpoint and took away gold jewellery and cash. Deewan Chand said that the jewellery was part of his daughters’ dowry.