Raksha Bandhan 2024: Timings, Rituals & Origins
Shravan Purnima is celebrated as Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi or Rakhi Poornima, is one of India's most popular festivals. Though the festival's origins vary, it now represents a protective bond between brother and sister. Sisters tie a thread around their brothers' right wrists, praying for their long life, while brothers swear to protect their sisters. Rakhi has recently come to represent a bond of friendship and goodwill towards all.
Raksha Bandhan 2024 is on August 19, Monday
3 months and 19 days to go for the event
→ Check out these stunning outfits to look chic this Raksha Bandhan
The Origin of Raksha Bandhan
There are a number of different legends explaining the origin of Raksha Bandhan. In some cases they are mythological while in others, they are historical.
According to Hindu scriptures, when demons or Asuras defeated the king of gods, Indra, his wife Indrani tied a sacred yellow thread around his wrist. Fortified by its protection, he went on to fight and win the war.
Goddess Lakshmi tied a rakhi on the wrist of demon king Bali requesting the return of her lord Vishnu who was guarding the door of Bali.
In Mahabharata, queen Draupadi once tied a piece of yellow fabric torn from her own dress on the wrist of Krishna to heal his injury. Krishna was so touched by the action that he proclaimed it made him her brother and he now had the responsibility to protect her which he did repeatedly in spite of her five powerful husbands.
The Rakhi has been used in India since historical times to signify friendship and brotherhood. Rajput queens used to send rakhi to neighboring kings as tokens of friendship. Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore used Raksha Bandhan as a symbol of unity in the face of British strategy to partition Bengal along communal lines.
→ Check out these Raksha Bandhan wishes, greetings and WhatsApp
When is Raksha Bandhan 2024 celebrated?
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravana.
Curated list of Raksha Bandhan gifts for your sibling to lift their spirits.
Raksha Bandhan literally means the bond of protection. It is also known as Rakhi in various parts of India. It is called Gamha Purnima in Orissa, Narali Purnima in western India, Jandhyam Purnima in Uttarakhand, Kajari purnima in Central India and Jhulan Purnima in Bengal.
→ Stunning Rakhis to gift your brother on Raksha Bandhan
Rituals of Raksha Bandhan
The major rituals of Raksha bandhan are as follows:
The common ritual is the bond between brothers and sisters. Women bathe in the morning and observe fasting. They perform puja. Then they tie rakhi on the right wrist of their brothers, cousin brothers as well as unrelated males whom they regard as brothers. They put a mark of rice and haldi on the forehead of the brother and perform aarti. The brothers give gifts to the sisters and they feed sweets to each other.
In Orissa, Gamha Purnima is observed where cows and bulls are decorated and worshipped on this day.
In Western India, Narali purnima is celebrated where a Nariel or coconut is offered to the sea god Varuna. It marks the beginning of the fishing season.
Jandhyam Purnima is celebrated in Uttarakhand where the sacred thread is changed on this day.
Jhulan purnima is celebrated in Bengal where Krishna and Radha are worshipped.
Important Timings On Raksha Bandhan 2024
| Sunrise | August 19, 6:08 AM |
| Sunset | August 19, 6:52 PM |
| Purnima Tithi Timing | August 19, 03:05 AM - 11:55 PM |
| Bhadra Timing | August 19, 03:05 AM - 01:32 PM |
| Raksha Bandhan Muhurat |
August 19, 01:46 PM - 04:19 PM August 19, 06:52 PM - 09:07 PM |
| Raksha Bandhan Aparahan Time | August 19, 01:46 PM - 04:19 PM |
| Raksha Bandhan Pradosha Time | August 19, 06:52 PM - 09:07 PM |
| Place : Ujjain [ India ] See More | |
Jammu: Inmates of an old age home celebrate 'Raksha Bandhan' in Jammu on Aug 26, 2018.
FAQs
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- 1: Can Rakhi be tied at night?
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- Yes, the sacred thread of Rakhi may be bound under the cloak of night, under celestial circumstances that demand exception. Yet, one must exercise utmost caution about not tying the sacred knot during the Vishti (Bhadra) Karana
phase. This juncture, riddled with ominousness, stands as a sentinel against any auspicious endeavor. In the interstice of Purnima Tithi, when the Bhadra Karana reigns over the periods of Aprahan Kaal and Pradosh Kaal, the propitious moment for the
Raksha Bandhan rite inevitably falls during the night. Yet, for those who shy from the nocturnal path, hope alights like a morning star. The remaining portion of the Purnima Tithi, lingering in the next day's dawn, offers another canvas for the
tying of Rakhi.
To learn how the Raksha Bandhan Muhurat is decided, click here.
- Yes, the sacred thread of Rakhi may be bound under the cloak of night, under celestial circumstances that demand exception. Yet, one must exercise utmost caution about not tying the sacred knot during the Vishti (Bhadra) Karana
phase. This juncture, riddled with ominousness, stands as a sentinel against any auspicious endeavor. In the interstice of Purnima Tithi, when the Bhadra Karana reigns over the periods of Aprahan Kaal and Pradosh Kaal, the propitious moment for the
Raksha Bandhan rite inevitably falls during the night. Yet, for those who shy from the nocturnal path, hope alights like a morning star. The remaining portion of the Purnima Tithi, lingering in the next day's dawn, offers another canvas for the
tying of Rakhi.
- 2: Who can tie Rakhi?
-
- Nowhere within the sacred scrolls of ancient India do we uncover decrees decreeing the exclusive right of sisters to secure the Rakhi upon their brothers' wrists. Within the legends of the Bhavishya Purana, a tale resonates
wherein Indra's consort, Shachi, knots Rakhi's magical protection onto his wrist, rendering him impervious to the onslaught of the Asuras. Further, within the annals of the Mahabharata, the tale unfurls of Kunti, who, as a grandmother, binds the
Rakhi's charm upon her grandson Abhimanyu's wrist ere he embarks for the Kurukshetra War. Under its shield, he stands unscathed until that fateful day when the Rakhi relinquishes its hold, and he meets his heroic end. These are some of the many
chronicles illuminating Raksha Bandhan's essence - a talisman of absolute protection.
Thus, a constellation of instances gleams, affirming the Rakhi's mantle as an amulet of protection. No distinctions confine its power; mothers, fathers, daughters, sisters, brothers, confidants, beloveds, and spouses alike are weavers and bearers of its enchantment, transcending bonds, genders, and realms, a talisman of love and shield of security.
- Nowhere within the sacred scrolls of ancient India do we uncover decrees decreeing the exclusive right of sisters to secure the Rakhi upon their brothers' wrists. Within the legends of the Bhavishya Purana, a tale resonates
wherein Indra's consort, Shachi, knots Rakhi's magical protection onto his wrist, rendering him impervious to the onslaught of the Asuras. Further, within the annals of the Mahabharata, the tale unfurls of Kunti, who, as a grandmother, binds the
Rakhi's charm upon her grandson Abhimanyu's wrist ere he embarks for the Kurukshetra War. Under its shield, he stands unscathed until that fateful day when the Rakhi relinquishes its hold, and he meets his heroic end. These are some of the many
chronicles illuminating Raksha Bandhan's essence - a talisman of absolute protection.
- 3: When is Rakhi Muhurat in 2023?
-
- The Raksha Bandhan Muhurat (The auspicious time to tie the Rakhi) is observed on the Aprahan Kaal and Pradosh Kaal of the Sravana Purnima. Special care must be taken that there is no Vishti (Bhadra) reigning on the Muhurat. The
Raksha Bandhan Muhurat for 2024 will be from August 30, 09:02 PM to August 31, 07:05 AM.
(Mentioned timings are in IST, for Ujjain. Click here to change the location.)
- The Raksha Bandhan Muhurat (The auspicious time to tie the Rakhi) is observed on the Aprahan Kaal and Pradosh Kaal of the Sravana Purnima. Special care must be taken that there is no Vishti (Bhadra) reigning on the Muhurat. The
Raksha Bandhan Muhurat for 2024 will be from August 30, 09:02 PM to August 31, 07:05 AM.
Raksha Bandhan festival dates between 2020 & 2030
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Monday, 3rd of August |
| 2021 | Sunday, 22nd of August |
| 2022 | Thursday, 11th of August |
| 2023 | Wednesday, 30th of August |
| 2024 | Monday, 19th of August |
| 2025 | Saturday, 9th of August |
| 2026 | Friday, 28th of August |
| 2027 | Tuesday, 17th of August |
| 2028 | Saturday, 5th of August |
| 2029 | Friday, 24th of August |
| 2030 | Tuesday, 13th of August |
Other Related Festivals
- → Bhai Dooj
- → Holi
- → Narali Purnima