Rakhi - Exactly what is celebrated?

[HAbadzi]

Can someone please give me the traditional reason for which rakhi is
placed on men's hands by their sisters?

When is rakhi given?

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[Surendra]

In article <329B13...@worldbank.org>, HAbadzi says...

I am sure this post is gonna get a lot of replies (even though there is nothing
musical about it :-)

Rakhi is the thread that gets its name from Raksha-Bandhan (a tie for protection).
Though, these days it is customary only between brothers and sisters, it's
origin goes back to Rajputana days. As the name suggests, it is a promise that
the person tying the thread gets from the recipient. The first Rakhi
(as I read in my elementary school) was sent by Maharani Karm wati to Humayu'
(Akbar's father) to protect her and her kingdom. But the snail-mail took time,
and he arrived late. By the time he reached, she had already burned herself.
(an old Rajpoot tradition called "Jouhar", where ladies burnt themselves, before the enemy
got to their bodies)

It was then traditional for Brahmin's to present Rakhi to the
kings, so that their clan be protected. In modern war times girls would tie
Rakhi on solders' wrists, so that they would protect them, (in turn by
protecting the country).

With time, the only people to be protected (in macho Indian society) were the
young girls (no flames from my net Bahne' plleeez). So the tradition is now
limited to brother(ly) and sister(ly)relations.

Traditionally, Rakhi used to be a simple thread, but with time it got its
commercial flavor, and now it comes in bright colors, with decorations.

Like any other Indian festival, it is celebrated by the Indian (lunar calendar)
in the month of "savan". The most beautiful season in India, a month of
festivities and monsoon. This would (roughly) fall in the months of Aug-sept.
(28 August this year)

Now giving RMIM touch to this post.
The Indian film industry has done it's fair share to this festival in
many films. I think all Rakhi songs are beautiful, as tender and innocent
as a sister's love (BTW I don't have one)

Here is what I can remember.

"Bhaiya mere rakhi ke bandha ko nibhana."

Film: AnpaD MD: Madan Mohan
"Rang birangi Rakhi lekar ai bahna, O Rakhi bandhwale mere veer"

"Ham bahano ka, sun mere bhaiya,
aata hai ik din saal me
..aa milna har haal me'"

There is another Mukesh song for Manoj kumar (was it in Shore) that
says something about "sooni kalai".(the bare wrist)

Film: Resham ki dori
Dharmendra, and Saira starrer also had a title song
"Bahna ne bhai ki kalai se pyaar bandha hai."

- Surendra
[Bhool chook leni deni]
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[halwits...@gmail.com]

Great article about rakhi festival because rakhi is a very touching and loving festival for siblings.
http://www.indiangiftguru.com/72/category/Rakhi/

[Chetan]

On May 23, 3:25 pm, halwitssaur...@gmail.com wrote:
> Great article about rakhi festival because rakhi is a very touching and loving festival for siblings.http://www.indiangiftguru.com/72/category/Rakhi/

Wow! This must be the record for the longest duration to the next
response in a thread! Sort of like someone receiving a letter after it
is lost for 17 years in the postal department. We need to share this
with Guinness :)

C