Festivals are primarily occasions for social gatherings and community participation. They are usually celebrated to pass down traditions and unique traits of a culture or society and most festivals celebrate interpersonal relationships. The dynamics and relationship between individuals are the building blocks of society; they are run on mutual cooperation and harmony between individuals. And Raksha Bandhan is one such festival that promotes social harmony, peace and kinship.
Significance of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is also popularly known as Rakhi festival. It is an ancient Hindu festival that celebrates the special relationship between brothers and sisters. This festival honors the chaste bond of love and commitment between siblings. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, sisters pray for the safety and well being of their brothers with elaborate prayers and rituals. The brother visits his sister on this day and the sister performs an aarti ceremony before him. She then ties the ceremonial thread also known as Rakhi on the wrists of her brother and in return, the brother ritually makes a pledge to protect and take care of his sister at all times. He also presents her with gifts for the occasion. The gifts are a token of appreciation for her prayers and wishes and also symbolic of the agreement of their special relationship.
History of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan literally translates from Sanskrit into English as “the tie or knot of protection,” and Indian traditions maintain that the tie of the Rakhi is so powerful that not even the gods can break them. Indian tradition also maintains that when a woman ties the Rakhi on the wrists of any male, he is considered as a real brother and he also becomes honor.
There are many instances in history which exemplifies this like the story of the Rani of Chittor who sent a Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun when her kingdom was being attacked by Bahadur Shah. The emperor on receiving the Rakhi became so overwhelmed and rushed to Chittor with his army to protect the kingdom from the invading forces.
Thus Raksha Bandhan is not exclusive to real brothers and sisters; the festival is also an occasion to celebrate and enforce brother-sister-like blood ties between relatives and other people, even biologically unrelated men and women. It transcends cultural differences and brings together men and women across diverse religions and ethnic groups. The festival ritually emphasises harmony and love with the Rakhi and the gifts tradition. Even though with the onset of time the festival has undergone some changes such as gifts from sisters and fancy Rakhis and same day rakhi delivery, the essence of brother-sister love remains the same.
Rakhi gifts for brother and sister
- Personalised coffee mugs
Personalised coffee mugs may be an ideal choice for several occasions including Raksha Bandhan. Based on your personal preferences, you can either go for a photo cup or a quote mug. And then there is a choice of colour and size as well. Apart from this, you have the liberty to look for combo sets, such as thread and lumba Rakhi with flowers, chocolates and teddy bears, to name a few. Typically, they are sent out on festivals, birthdays and anniversaries.
- Personalised diaries
A personalised diary can make a great gift. Plus, they have a deeper meaning, especially for those who like to write. When looking for an ideal gift for a special event, make sure you think out of the box. If you go for a great idea, it can imprint your life with many positive aspects. One such gift idea is a personalised diary.
- Personalised caricatures
Customised caricatures are one of the best gifts if you want to surprise a brother or sister. In fact, this type of gift is made particularly for them, which is why nobody else can use it. Almost everybody wants to purchase personalised caricatures for people they love. People go for it for a number of reasons.
- Personalised lamps
When your sister or brother will be sad, the lamp can lighten up their mood. Therefore, they can bring a sparkling smile to their face. With customised lamps, you can encourage your loved ones to think positively and continue to move in life. Also, customised lamps may be one of the best ways to show your love for your brother or sister on Raksha Bandhan. Generally, the role of lamps is to show the presence of light and brightness in dark times.
You may forget to buy a gift for your loved one, especially if you have a busy schedule. And it may not be possible for you to get out and make this purchase. And you can’t buy gift cards as they are already outdated.
Festival Idea 