Raksha Bandhan

1. RakshaBandhan By Sayna, vanessa, lidia and ruohan

2. What is RakshaBandhan? • Celebration of unconditional love shared between brothers and sisters in which the brother and sister pray for well being for the other, helping bind the family through love and oneness • A thread of love (a bracelet) called rakhi is tied onto the brothers wrist by the sister, who also feeds him sweets. The rakhi symbolizes security, protection and love between the two participants.

3. What is RakshaBandhan? (cnt’d) • Brother gives a gift (usually money) to the sister, along with a vow of protection and devotion • Considered the day that bestows blessings and puts an end to all sins. • Although once exclusive to only brother and sister, now close friends and neighbors who are thought of as brotherly are also included

4. When is RakshaBandhan? • August 21 2013 • Different date each year depending on the day of the full moon during the ShravanPoornima of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar (August) • There is one day dedicated to RakshaBandhan , however the actual ceremony does not take very long

5. History of RakshaBandhan • Dates as far back as 6000 years • The Rishis tied rakhi’s onto the people who were seeking their blessings. • Sages tied thread to themselves as a safeguard from evil. • Historical evidence on next slide

6. RaniKarnavati and Emperor Humayun • Most significant evidence in history • Took place during medieval era • The Muslims attacked a Rajputs (a Hindu clan) • RaniKarnavati, the widowed Queen of Chittor realized there was no way of stopping the Sultan of Gujarat’s troops. • She gave him a rakhi, which touched him very deeply, and was the reason he stopped the troops

7. Alexander The Great and King Puru • Oldest reference to RakshaBandhan (goes back to 300 B.C) • During the time when King Alexander the Great of Macedonia invaded India • After his first attempt, King Alexander was very afraid of the wrath of the angry Indian King Puru • King Alexander’s wife, upset by this and having heard of the Rakhi festival, went to King Puru, who accepted her as his sister • When war broke out and the opportunity arose, King Puru avoided clashing with Alexander

8. Lord Krishna and Draupadi • Lord Krishna killed evil King Shishupal to protect the good people • Krishna was hurt during the war and left with bleeding fingers so Draupadi tore a strip of cloth from her sari and tied it around his wrist in order for the bleeding to stop. • Realizing her affection and concern about him, Lord Krishna declared himself tied by her sisterly love. • Promised to help her whenever she needed it • Years later, the pandavas lost Draupadi in a dice game and the Kauravas were removing her saari, Lord Krishna helped her divinely lengthen the saari so it could not be removed

9. Rituals of RakshaBandhan • Sister prepares a pujathali (decorative plate) with chawal (a rice dish), roli (a coloured powder) and diya (a clay oil lamp) to be offered to deities • Ritual begins with a prayer in front of God • Sister ties rakhi around the male’s wrist while chanting mantras, wishing him happiness and well-being and feeding him sweets (may include Jalebi, KajuKatli and Burfi • Brother in return gives her a present (usually money although saari’s or other clothing are optional as well), promises to protect and support his sister through good and bad times • This is a physical acknowledgement of her love to him and his devotion to her

10. Mantra Chants By Sister During the Ceremony This is the mantra chanted throughout the ceremony: Surajshakhanchhodian, MoolichhodiabeejBehen ne rakhibandhi / Bhaituchir jug jee",

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. "Once the rakhi has been tied onto the brother, the sister then chants: "YenabaddhoBaleeraajaadaanavendromahaabalahtenatwaamanubadhnaamirakshemaachalamaachala" 

This means," I tie you the rakhi that was tied to king Bali, the king of Demons, 
O Rakhi I pray that you never falter in protecting your devotee.

11. Preparation for RakshaBandhan • Rakhi’s and traditional candies prepared long before the ShravanaPurnima • On the day of celebration, family members wake up early and take a bath, cleansing their minds and bodies • After the poojathali is prepared, the ceremony takes place

12. Dressing for RakshaBandhan • Historical significance displayed in traditional dress code that most Hindu’s observe on the day of the celebrations • Usually , traditional articles are worn but it is more common and accepted to now follow the current fashion trends. • Men wear kurta, a long sleeved loose fitting shirt which goes down to the knees • Women usually wear a sarior a shalwarkameez, a tunic like Indian dress that is commonly decorated with intricate patterns • Bright happy colors such as red, orange, coral and yellow are chosen both by men and women to wear throughout the day’s ceremonies

13. Food eaten during Raksha Bandhan • Ghewar,Simosas, Shakarpare and Namakpare are made on Raksha Bandhan • Main sweet used is Ghewar • Ghugni is prepared , which is eaten with curd and puri • Halwa , Kheer and Puri are also favoured dishes during RakshaBandhan • Sweets such as chocolate are now more common common used when the sister feeds the brother

14. Bibliography http://www.raksha-bandhan.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raksha_Bandhan http://www.in.com/raksha-bandhan/profile-358996.html http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-02/edit-page/32982346_1_raksha-bandhan-false-spoken-word-charity-miserliness http://www.hinduism.co.za/raksha.htm http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/raksha.shtml http://www.indianfoodforever.com/holiday-recipes/rakhi/