Raksha Bandhan: the thread of protection
On the full Moon of Shravana, sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers’ wrists and pray for their well-being, and brothers promise to stand by them. Today it is just as often tied between cousins, friends and sisters.
When to tie the rakhi
Tradition prefers the afternoon (aparahna) of the full-Moon day and avoids Bhadra, the first half of the Purnima tithi. When Bhadra covers the afternoon, the rakhi is tied after Bhadra ends, or on the next morning if the full Moon still lasts then.
The stories
Indrani tied a protective thread on Indra before his battle with the demons. Draupadi tore her sari to bandage Krishna’s finger, and he promised to protect her. Yamuna tied a thread on her brother Yama, who blessed every brother who receives one.
The same full Moon
- Upakarma Many communities renew the sacred thread (janeu) on this day; in Tamil Nadu it is Avani Avittam.
- Narali Purnima On the Konkan coast, fishing communities offer a coconut to the sea as the monsoon eases.
- Gayatri Jayanti Some traditions honour Goddess Gayatri on this full Moon.