Monday, August 15, 2011

Raksha Bandhan; A Brother-Sister Affair

On Saturday, August 13th, we celebrated the annual bro-sis festival of Raksha Bandhan. With Raksha and Bandhan meaning protect and promise, the brother makes a promise of protection to his sister. The sister ties a band (rakhi) around the brother's wrist, reminding him of the promise he made to her.

I really enjoy the idea of a promise made between brother and sister like this, and it makes me wonder why, in the U.S., we don't celebrate that unique bond that a brother and sister hold. Even when family members live far apart, they make it a point to come together for this festival. Many times rakhi is also exchanged between close cousins, considering each other as brother and sister.

For Raksha Bandhan we had family come and stay with us, which is always nice. And of course, like any festival, excellent food was had. :)

 Abhi and Shivangi

Shivangi tying rakhi on Abhinav's wrist 

Shivangi tying rakhi on my wrist. Husband and wife are considered as one, so when a sister ties rakhi on her brother's wrist, she also ties it on her brother's wife.

My Mother-In-Law tying rakhi on her brother's wrist. 

Mother-In-Law tying rakhi on brother's wife's wrist.

Happy Raksha Bandhan.

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