This article provides detail information about Rakhi festival right from when is Rakhi to how it is celebrated in various parts of India.


When is Rakhi


Raksha Bandhan festival is one of the most important festivals in India. Rakhi ceremony is celebrated in each year on the month of August which is the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar. This ceremony takes place on the full moon day of Shravan. For a major part of India, Raksha Bandhan festival is an effort to strengthen the bondage between siblings. On this propitious day, a sister ties the thread of Rakhi to her brother's wrist so that her brother can enjoy prosperity in life. On the other hand, the brother promises to protect his sister from all possible difficulties of life. Rakhi is an emblem of love and protection. The sacred thread of Rakhi acts to bond brothers and sisters and it intends to signify a harmonious relation between people.

Rakhi Calendar for Next Few Years
Rakhi is a Monsoon Festival
Rakhi celebration is the festival of monsoon. This monsoon festival has a deeper meaning. The rainy season eliminates all the dirt and complexities of life and presents us prosperity and new hope to enjoy life to the fullest. That is why the Hindus consider the month of Shravan as holy one to celebrate the pure bondage of love between siblings and arrival of good fortune.

Significance of Rakhi Festival for Farmer Community
The ceremony of 'Shravani', organized on the day of Rakhi Purnima has special significance for the farmer community of different parts of India. A good harvesting season depends on adequate rain water. Monsoon is the best time to get sufficient water for farming activities. So farmers of the states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Bihar worship soil for its fertility.

Significance of Rakhi Festival for Fishing Community
As far as the fishing community of India is concerned, the Rakhi festival has greater significance for them. States like Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka observe the celebration of Rakhi festival or it is better to say the celebration of 'Nariyal Purnima' through different rituals. For their livelihood, the fishing community completely depends on the sea. The monsoon season has a positive effect on sea water as well as on fish. Therefore, for these people, celebration of 'Nariyal Purnima' is an effort to please God Varuna, the deity of water and the ocean by offering the sea coconuts on this event for their better earning prospect.

Rakhi Purnima- A New Beginning of Life
The season of monsoon also signifies destruction. It destroys all that are unnecessary and have no usage. It eradicates unwanted elements from nature and from human lives. It also marks a new beginning to pave the way for prosperity. This is the reason why people from Gujarati community celebrate 'Pavitropana' through worshipping Lord Shiva, the symbol of destruction, on the day of Shravan Purnima. They pray to Lord Shiva for a prosperous future on this special occasion.

Rakhi is the Celebration of Change
The rainy season of Shravan also indicates change. Change or alteration is necessary to pave the way for a new one. So Brahmin communities in the states like Andhra Pradesh, Keala, Tamil Nadu and certain parts of Orissa observe the day of Shravan Purnima as 'Upakamam' and on that day they change their threads .

In short, one can observe the true spirit of Indian festivals through the celebration of this event on the season of monsoon.