Raksha Bandhan: the festooned fraternity ...Contd

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Kajari Purnima: In the parts of Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhatisgarh, Rakshabandhan is celebrated in the form of Kajari Purnima. This day is an important occasion for the farmers and women. Rituals begin from Kajari Navami, five days before the full moon day.

Pavitropana: Rakshabandhan is celebrated in part of Gujarat as Pavitropana. People assemble in the temples of Lord Shiva and perform prayers. Threads of cotton and sometimes kasa grass, laced with products of cow, are tied around the three eyed shiva-linga.

Rakhi Thread
Keeping up with time, the Rakhi thread has become more fashionable and trendy. It flaunts the amalgamation of tradition and modern lifestyle of people. Modern rakhi is available in different shapes, sizes and materials. It can even be made of gold attached with diamonds.

Rakhi Thali
The beautifully decorated Rakhi Thali gives an impression of your love and care for your brother. The thali contains one diya, tika or roli, rice, beatle leaves, rakhi thread, flowers and incense sticks. The thali is either of silver, brass or simply of steel. Sweets sometimes add to the decor of the thali.

The Significance
Though now it is considered as a brother and sister festival, it was not always so. There have been examples in history where in Rakhi has just been a raksha or protection. It could be tied by wife, a daughter or mother. The Rishis tied Rakhi to the people who came seeking their blessings. The sages tied the sacred thread to themselves to safe guard them from the evil.

The day has a deeper perspective in today's scenario. The occasion holds for a life long pledge to practice moral, spiritual and cultural values. The values and the sentiments attached to the rituals of this festival are worth inculcating by the whole human race, the sentiments of harmony and peaceful coexistence.

Though in principle Raksha Bandhan is an observance between biological siblings of the opposite sex, the practice often extends more generally to people of the opposite sex who are not biologically related, or who are not related as siblings. Raksha Bandhan is not entirely a pious affair, though sentimentality doubtless prevails. It has, thankfully, also become an occasion for some jest, humor, and mild ribaldry.