Raksha Bandhan रक्षाबंधन
Falls on Shravana Purnima · usually August
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on Shravana Purnima, usually in August. A sister ties a rakhi on her brother’s wrist praying for his well-being, and the brother vows lifelong protection — a celebration of familial love and duty.
Raksha Bandhan at a glance
| Falls on | Shravana Purnima |
| Usual month | August |
| Category | Family |
The story behind Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan, the ‘bond of protection’, celebrates the tie between brothers and sisters. Its stories include Draupadi tying cloth on Krishna’s wrist and receiving his lifelong protection, and Yamuna tying a rakhi on Yama.
Significance of Raksha Bandhan
A sister ties a rakhi on her brother’s wrist praying for his well-being, and the brother vows lifelong protection — a celebration of familial love and duty.
How Raksha Bandhan is celebrated
- The sister performs aarti, applies tilak and ties the rakhi on the brother’s wrist
- The brother gives a gift and pledges protection
- Sharing sweets and a family meal
- Some tie rakhis to soldiers, priests and deities
Regional variations
Celebrated across North and West India; in coastal regions it coincides with Narali Purnima (offerings to the sea) and in some areas with Avani Avittam (the changing of the sacred thread).
Festive foods of Raksha Bandhan
Traditional dishes prepared for Raksha Bandhan include ghewar, kaju katli, coconut sweets and festive thali.
Quick tips
- Tie the rakhi during an auspicious choghadiya, avoiding Rahu Kaal
- Share sweets and a family meal
Choosing the muhurat on Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan falls on Shravana Purnima. To choose an auspicious time on the day, open the muhurat planner for your city and check the day's choghadiya and the Rahu Kaal to avoid. For the exact date this year, see the panchang calendar, and for weddings or a housewarming near this festival, confirm the muhurat with a qualified pandit.
Hindu festival dates follow the lunar calendar and vary each year; regional traditions can differ by a day. For the exact date this year, confirm with your local panchang or pandit.
Common questions
When is Raksha Bandhan celebrated?
Raksha Bandhan falls on Shravana Purnima in the Hindu lunar calendar, usually in August. The exact Gregorian date changes each year — confirm with your local panchang or the panchang calendar.
Why is Raksha Bandhan celebrated?
Raksha Bandhan, the ‘bond of protection’, celebrates the tie between brothers and sisters. Its stories include Draupadi tying cloth on Krishna’s wrist and receiving his lifelong protection, and Yamuna tying a rakhi on Yama.
How is Raksha Bandhan observed?
Common observances include The sister performs aarti, applies tilak and ties the rakhi on the brother’s wrist; The brother gives a gift and pledges protection; Sharing sweets and a family meal; Some tie rakhis to soldiers, priests and deities.
How is Raksha Bandhan celebrated in different regions?
Celebrated across North and West India; in coastal regions it coincides with Narali Purnima (offerings to the sea) and in some areas with Avani Avittam (the changing of the sacred thread).
What foods are made for Raksha Bandhan?
Traditional dishes include ghewar, kaju katli, coconut sweets and festive thali.