The Festival of Bond and Curiosity
Rakhi occurs in the month of August. Indians all over the world get curious to know the date on which Raksha Bandhan occurs. Rakhi celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. The festival of Rakhi has its roots in the epic of the Mahabharata.
Krishna, Shishupala, and the Sacred Thread
. Shri Krishna had an aunt named Srutadevi, who gave birth to a deformed child, Shishupala. It was said that Shishupala would be killed by the same person whose touch would bring him back to normality. One day Shri Krishna came to his aunt’s house. As Srutadevi placed her son in the hands of Shri Krishna, the child turned out to be handsome.
Though his aunt was happy to see her child, she was worried that his death would happen at the hands of Shri Krishna. She pleaded with Shri Krishna to pardon her child even when a situation arises where he should be punished. Krishna was moved by her plea and said, “I will excuse him for his misdeed, but I shall certainly punish him if he crosses the mark of 100 mistakes.
Shishupala had grown up to be the king of the Chedi kingdom. He was then a ruler and a relative of Shri Kirshna as well. But he used to be very brutal. He used to torture people in his kingdom and clashed with Shri Krishna very often. He once started to abuse Krishna before the whole court. That was it, Shishupala had crossed the limit of 100 mistakes that day.
Krishna aimed his Sudarshan Chakra at Shishupala. Such was the case when Shishupala risked his own life despite being warned to be good. As Shri Krishna charged the Sudarshan Chakra in a range, his finger got cut in the course. Everyone rushed to bring something to tie on his wound. But Draupadi, who was standing there, did not hesitate. She immediately tore a piece from her sari and wrapped it around Krishna’s finger. “Thank you, dear sister. You have rescued me in need. So I will help you whenever you are in trouble, “assured Shri Krisha to Draupadi.
Later, Krishna kept his word by rescuing Draupadi when the Kauravas tried to insult her by dragging her into the court. From thereon, sisters were tying Rakhi to their brothers, and brothers in lieu would look after their well-being throughout their lives.
Regional Celebrations and Traditions
People in Odisha and West Bengal place the idols of Radha and Krishna in a cradle and swing them. Thus, they call this day Jhulan Purnami. Some states in North India sow the seeds of wheat on this day, and they call the ritual Kajari Purnima. People in the states of Kerala and Maharashtra call this day Narali Purnima.
So, this is the reason why Rakhi is celebrated every year by Indians.