Raksha Bandhan

Last updated on: August 13, 2011 at 5:19 pm by Niki Whiting

Raksha Bandhan 2011-08-13T17:19:21-08:00 Niki Whiting

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Today is Raksha Bandhan, a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters. The brothers promise to protect their sisters from all harms and evils and the sisters promise to be devoted to their brother’s well-being. It seems like this is a day for gifts and family celebrations. Traditionally a red woven bracelet is tied around the brother’s wrist.

I thought this would be a sweet holiday to observe as I have a boy and a girl. Of course, they are a little young to really understand what’s going on. The celebrating was further diminished by the absence of my husband (he’s in Edinburgh to see a friend’s show at the Fringe Festival). But I was determined. When sister woke from her morning nap we washed hands and faces and prepared for puja. My son was especially excited about the chocolate that was set aside for offering. He kept asking Kali if he could have some. Apparently she kept saying yes and I kept having to tell him to wait. I hope Kali doesn’t get angry with me for undermining her word!

Puja prayers involved me praying for my son’s well-being and asking him to look after his sister. Then we tied a little bracelet, called a rakhi, I made for him around his wrist. We ate the chocolate. I gave a joint gift to the kids, some crayons for the bathtub. We went to the cafe for lunch. And… that was that. By mid afternoon my son wanted the bracelet off. Still, it’s a sweet idea and I’m glad I’m attempting some of these celebrations.

My son's homemade rakhi

Previous Post

August 12, 2011

Karma-yoga and the struggle as a woman

Next Post

August 15, 2011 A Review of Eat Pray Love - the movie

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Alaska altar altars Ana Ancestors Anderson witchcraft Arddu Bhairava Biography bodies books Christianity Christmas community current events death Delphic Maxims Dhumavati dual observance Durga Faery family life feminism Feri Feri tradition Feri witchcraft food ganesha gratitude Guest Post guru health Hinduism holidays Jesus Kali Lakshmi land links magic Many Gods West movie review movies music my heart mystery myth Navratri Orthodoxy pagan pagan culture paganism pantheacon parenting Place politics polytheism practice pratice prayer Red Goddess review ritual sacred arts Samhain Saraswati Shinto Shiva singing Star Goddess Tantra tarot the Gods theory Uncategorized values virgin mary wales washington winter witchcraft year in review yoga

Select a Month September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What animal is commonly associated with Jesus?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Donkey Lamb Fish Lion