The festival of Raksha Bandhan is observed on the full moon day of word ‘Raksha’ means protection. On this auspicious day women and girls tie an amulet-like thread round the right hand wrists of their brothers as a token of protection against evil during the ensuling year.
According to Hindu scriptures Shachi, the consort of Indra, the god of heaven, tied such a mantra charged thread round the right wrist of her husband when he was disgraced in the battle by the demon forces. Indra again fought and gained a convincing victory over the demons, and recovered his lost capital Amravati. The scared amulet helped him in defeating the enemy.
The thread is called ‘Rakhi’ and is made of a few colorful cototn or silk twisted threads or threads of gold or silver. The brothers give their sisters gifts of money, clothes and other valuable things in return. Sisters feed their brothers with sweets, dry fruits and other delicacies on this occasion.
Priests and Brahmins also tie this kind of thread round the wrists of the right hands of their patrons and receive gifts. They recite a mantra or a sacred hymn while doing so to charge the thread with the power of protection.
Yeri baddho Bali Raja Danavendro Mahabalah,
Ten tvam Pratibandhanami rakshe ma chal ma chal.
The thread charged with the power of the mantra protects the wearer from every possible evils. Coconut Barfi is prepared specially on this day.
