Women renew strong bond of love with brothers on Raksha Bandhan

Published August 20, 2024
On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu devotee ties the rakhi on the wrist of Arjun Maharaj, the chief pujari at the Swami Laxmi Narayan Temple, which is located beneath the Native Jetty bridge, on Monday.—PPI
On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu devotee ties the rakhi on the wrist of Arjun Maharaj, the chief pujari at the Swami Laxmi Narayan Temple, which is located beneath the Native Jetty bridge, on Monday.—PPI

KARACHI: Astrologers all over the world may be calling the full moon that appeared on August 19 a rather difficult aspect but it also brought with it a happy occasion for brothers and sisters who follow the Hindu religion in the form of Raksha Bandhan on Monday.

Celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravana, Raksha Bandhan literally means ‘tie or knot of protection’. This popular annual traditional festival sees sisters tying a colourful and decorated thread around the wrists of their brothers to remind them of their significance in the sisters’ lives as their protectors.

All the Hindu temples of Karachi had little stalls selling rakhis and witnessed women and girls coming for puja and prayer before putting together their special thali, which they also got blessed. Some came with their brothers and tied the thread or rakhi around their wrists there while others took their thalis home as many were expecting to see their brothers later in the evening.

There were also many who had carried out the rituals early in the morning before the brothers could go to school, college or university or their respective places of work. And besides these sisters there were also some whose brothers were away as they lived in another city or country. For them special mail or courier services were brought into use.

The annual festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana

Some who didn’t have a brother tied the thread around a cousin or friend’s wrist. Some ladies were also seen tying it around their father’s wrist whereas many also made Lord Krishna their protector by tying the thread around the deity’s wrist. Here they had a choice as some go for the grown-up Shree Krishna while others tie the rakhi around Kanha Ji, an avatar which portrays Krishna’s childhood, said to be both innocent and mischievous. All these gestures translate into the importance of the sweet and pure bond between brothers and sisters.

The day sees sweetmeat shops and bakeries doing good business as the sisters also offer something sweet to their brothers. In return the brothers are expected to present them with a gift, big or small, according to their pocket. Usually, they give a sari or some jewellery to their sisters.

In Pakistan, many Muslim women tie the rakhi around men belonging to the Hindu faith, whom they consider like their brothers. Many Hindu women also have made Muslim men their brothers by honouring them with a rakhi.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2024

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.