There is no one particular mythological story of how Rakhi came into existence but there are multiple events that together give an interesting perspective which seems to have brought this festival to life.
Lord Krishna and Draupadi
In the epic 'Mahabharata', bond between Lord Krishna and Draupadi signifies a sacred relationship which began when Lord Krishna was injured in a battle and at point, Draupadi tied a strip of cloth around Krishna's wrist to stop the bleeding. This incident touched Krishna so much that he promised Draupadi to protect her from evil and danger in the future. He stood by his promise and protected her during the Cheerharn episode that happened when Pandavas lost their wife in a game of dice. Krishna saved the honor and dignity of Draupadi by elongating hersari when Kauravas tried to dishonor her in front of the whole court.
Yamuna and Yama
According to another tale, Yamuna summoned Lord Yama (Lord of Death) to visit her. During the visit, she tied Rakhi to Yama and asked for immortality. Moved by this gesture, Yama agreed and declared that whoever gets thethread ofRakhi tied by his sister and promises to protect her will become immortal.
Rani Karawati and Emperor Humayun
During the medieval era, the Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions. When Rani Karawati , the widowed queen of the King of Chittor, realized that she could not defend the invasion of the Sultan of Gujarat - Bahadur Shah, she sent a Rakhi to Emperor Humayun. Touched by the gesture, the Emperor wasted no time and came with his troops to help, thus, once again proved the strength of the simple thread of Rakhi.
Roxana and King Porus
The oldest reference of this occasion goes back to 300 B.C. when Alexander the Great invaded India. During that time, King Alexander of Macedonia was shaken by the fury of Indian King - Porus, in his first attempt to attack. Upset by this, Alexander’s wife - Roxana approached King Porus to accept her as his sister. The King obliged and because of the promise to his sister, avoided attacking Alexander during the war. This story shows how sacred the bond between a brother and a sister is considered and how powerful it is.
Thus, Raksha Bandhan became an occasion to express love among brothers and sisters. This festival of exchanging beautiful Rakhi and gifts among loved ones is celebrated year after year with equal fervor. Every sister finds great pleasure when she has to send Rakhi to India or send Rakhi to USA or wherever her brother is. The sister, who has married brother, sends bhaiya- bhabhi fancy rakhi which basically means the thread of Rakhi for her brother and the Lumba which is a ladies Rakhi, for her sister – in – law. Obviously, siblings would love to be together on this day but due to the busy lives that we are leading, it becomes difficult to be physically present with each other. So to overcome this distance and yet celebrate the bond of togetherness, Rakhis are sent across so that at least once a year, siblings can celebrate a day that is all about their love and them.
Sisters start the preparation at least a fortnight before the auspicious day. They make special Rakhi thalis and sweets for the occasion and buy thread of Rakhis and gifts for her brother. As a tradition, even the brothers give gifts to the sister that she cherishes.
Lord Krishna and Draupadi
In the epic 'Mahabharata', bond between Lord Krishna and Draupadi signifies a sacred relationship which began when Lord Krishna was injured in a battle and at point, Draupadi tied a strip of cloth around Krishna's wrist to stop the bleeding. This incident touched Krishna so much that he promised Draupadi to protect her from evil and danger in the future. He stood by his promise and protected her during the Cheerharn episode that happened when Pandavas lost their wife in a game of dice. Krishna saved the honor and dignity of Draupadi by elongating hersari when Kauravas tried to dishonor her in front of the whole court.
Yamuna and Yama
According to another tale, Yamuna summoned Lord Yama (Lord of Death) to visit her. During the visit, she tied Rakhi to Yama and asked for immortality. Moved by this gesture, Yama agreed and declared that whoever gets thethread ofRakhi tied by his sister and promises to protect her will become immortal.
Rani Karawati and Emperor Humayun
During the medieval era, the Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions. When Rani Karawati , the widowed queen of the King of Chittor, realized that she could not defend the invasion of the Sultan of Gujarat - Bahadur Shah, she sent a Rakhi to Emperor Humayun. Touched by the gesture, the Emperor wasted no time and came with his troops to help, thus, once again proved the strength of the simple thread of Rakhi.
Roxana and King Porus
The oldest reference of this occasion goes back to 300 B.C. when Alexander the Great invaded India. During that time, King Alexander of Macedonia was shaken by the fury of Indian King - Porus, in his first attempt to attack. Upset by this, Alexander’s wife - Roxana approached King Porus to accept her as his sister. The King obliged and because of the promise to his sister, avoided attacking Alexander during the war. This story shows how sacred the bond between a brother and a sister is considered and how powerful it is.
Thus, Raksha Bandhan became an occasion to express love among brothers and sisters. This festival of exchanging beautiful Rakhi and gifts among loved ones is celebrated year after year with equal fervor. Every sister finds great pleasure when she has to send Rakhi to India or send Rakhi to USA or wherever her brother is. The sister, who has married brother, sends bhaiya- bhabhi fancy rakhi which basically means the thread of Rakhi for her brother and the Lumba which is a ladies Rakhi, for her sister – in – law. Obviously, siblings would love to be together on this day but due to the busy lives that we are leading, it becomes difficult to be physically present with each other. So to overcome this distance and yet celebrate the bond of togetherness, Rakhis are sent across so that at least once a year, siblings can celebrate a day that is all about their love and them.
Sisters start the preparation at least a fortnight before the auspicious day. They make special Rakhi thalis and sweets for the occasion and buy thread of Rakhis and gifts for her brother. As a tradition, even the brothers give gifts to the sister that she cherishes.
