Rakhi Purnima is a major Hindu festival when women tie Rakhi or amulet on the wrists of their brothers. Th festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravana (July- August). Rakhi Purnima is also famous by the name 'Raksha Bandhan'. Rakhi purnima is truly a day of prayers and pujas. The word Raksha means protection. In scriptures, Raksha Bandhan is described as the `Punya Pradayak`. It represents the day that bestows boons to the generous `Vish Tarak` (the destroyer of venom or the vicious) and `Pap Nashak` (the destroyer of sins).

Origin of Rakhi Purnima

Raksha Bandhan has a historical background. About 3000 B.C. Aryans entered India through the northwestern passes and settled in northwestern India. They brought with them their traditional custom, Raksha Bandhan. It was a tradition among the Aryans to have a `Yajna` (sacrificial ceremony) before a war to invoke God`s blessing for protection and security. Before the men departed for the battlefield the women-folk tied an anointed sacred thread or amulet. This is how the custom of Raksha Bandhan originated.

Rakhi Purnima – Its Significance

Primarily, the festival was a North and West Indian festival but now-a-days it has spread in every corner of the country. It is called 'Avani Avittam' in South India and it is an important day for the Brahmins. On this day, they irst take a holy bath and then remove their holy thread (Janeyu) and put on a new one while chanting the Vedic mantras. The Janeyu or Yagyopavit is a thread of three rounds and represents the vow for adherence to vedic culture, observance of Hindu traditions and service to humanity. The ceremony signifies the cleansing of the mind of all-evil. The ceremony is called Shravani or Rishi Tarpan or Vpa Karma

In North India, Rakhi purnima is also known as 'Kajri Purnima' or 'Kajri Navami'. On this day, wheat or barley is sown and Goddess Bhagwati is worshiped. The whole of Gujarat offers 'jal' to Lord Shiva and pray for forgiveness. Rakhi purnima is the day when a pious ceremony is observed known as ‘Pavitropana’. On this day, a few filaments of cotton are soaked in mixture of cow's ghee, milk, curd, urine and excreta, called panchagaivya and then fastened around Shiva Linga.

Hindu Brother-sister's day

On this auspicious day, Hindu women gather together, play games, sing, dance, eat and enjoy and put kumkum tilak on each others forehead as a symbol of good luck. Rakhi is more popularly known as a Hindu brother-sister's day as they reaffirm their love and affection. Sisters tie colourful threads on their brother`s wrists. The brothers in turn promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts. The value of these gifts is not counted in material wealth but is symbolic.