Raksha Bandhan, a festival that marks the bond of love between brothers and sisters, was celebrated with traditional fervour and enthusiasm across the State on Saturday.
Most of the women and girls waited for the period beginning from 1.49 pm, which was stated by the astrologers as auspicious for them to tie the rakhis to their brothers. As per the astrologers, bhadra (the inauspicious planetary constellation) would remain till 1.49 pm on Saturday.
However, some did not follow the astrologers’ view and tied rachis to their brothers in the morning. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated every year on the full moon day of the Shravan month of Hindu calendar.
In keeping with the tradition, women and girls first prepared a thali and did arti of their brothers before tying Rakhi on their wrists and presenting them with sweets. In reciprocation, the brothers took pledges to protect their sisters from all hazards and harms throughout their lives. On this occasion, brothers give gifts to their sisters, though it is not mandatory.
Nitu Kumari, resident of Raipur said that it is an important festival for the sisters. The festival further adds to the warmth of the ties between brothers and sisters. “It deepens the bond of affection and love,” she said. She continued, “I waited for the inauspicious spell as said by the astrologers to be over. Then I went for the rakhi rituals. I prayed for my brother’s long life and prosperity.”
There was a rush in the markets on Friday, but even on Saturday, the shops were chock a block with customers doing the last- minute purchases of sweets, gifts and rakhis. Since morning, women were seen at 'rakhi' stalls and sweet shops. Some women were also seen visiting temples and offering prayers in Dehradun. "My brother surprised me this time by coming all the way from Delhi. I was very excited,” said Rashmi Bisht, a 25-year-old living in Raipur.”
Buses, Vikram, auto rickshaws ran extra trips to cater to the rush of commuters. Those young women and girls who could not have reached their brothers’ homes used social media to send rakhi and convey love. At some places, girls and women demonstrated the secular culture by tying rakhis to members of other communities. The reports of ''Raksha Bandhan'' celebrations were also received from other parts of the state. The leaders of various political parties also joined the celebration across the state. Members of some social organisations have used the occasion to convey a special message- celebration of the inseparable bond between humans and tress. According to them, they have started a tradition of tying rakhi around the trees to mark the auspicious day. The motive behind the start of this tradition is to safeguard and conserve the trees in the same manner as brothers protect sisters and vice versa.