Raksha Bandhan 2023 Date: Confusion Cleared, Know Whether Rakhi is on 30th or 31st?
This year, Raksha Bandhan falls during the Bhadra period, causing a significant confusion regarding the festival's date.
Raksha Bandhan is traditionally celebrated on the Full Moon day of the month of Sawan. The beginning of Sawan's Full Moon date is on Wednesday, August 30th at 10:59 AM, and it concludes on Thursday, August 31st at 7:05 AM. Sisters need to consider the Bhadra period while determining the time to tie the Rakhi on their brothers.
Tying Rakhi on a brother during the Bhadra period is considered inauspicious. This year, the Bhadra period coincides with the Full Moon date on August 30th, starting at 9:02 PM and lasting for approximately 10 hours. Therefore, sisters can tie the Rakhi on their brothers' wrists only after the Bhadra period ends on August 30th.
The auspicious time to tie Rakhi falls between 9:03 PM on August 30th and 7:05 AM on August 31st.
As Bhadra period starts on the morning of August 30th and lasts until 9:02 PM, sisters should avoid tying Rakhi during this period. If you plan to celebrate Raksha Bandhan on August 31st, then tie the Rakhi on your brother's wrist before 7:05 AM.
After the Rakhi is tied and the rituals are completed, the significance of Sawan's Full Moon and Raksha Bandhan will conclude. It is necessary to tie the Rakhi before this time.
While tying the Rakhi, chant the following mantra:
[ येन बद्धो बलि राजा, दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः।
तेन त्वाम रक्ष बध्नामि, रक्षे माचल माचल:।। ]
What Brothers Should Do on Raksha Bandhan?
After tying the Rakhi, seek blessings from your parents or elders. Then, present your sister with a gift according to your capability.
The gift should be something beneficial for both. Avoid giving sharp objects, knives, mirrors, or photo frames. It is believed that such gifts can create discord in the relationship.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Avoid Tying Rakhi During Bhadra Period: It's considered inauspicious to tie Rakhi during the Bhadra period. This year, Bhadra starts on August 30th and lasts until 9:02 PM. If you plan to tie Rakhi on August 30th, make sure to do so after 9:03 PM.
Orientation While Tying Rakhi: While tying the Rakhi, ensure that your brother's face is either towards the east or north. Tying the Rakhi in any other direction is considered unlucky.
Avoid Certain Types of Rakhis: Avoid tying Rakhis made of plastic. Also, refrain from using Rakhis with broken threads or symbols of bad luck. If you can't find a suitable Rakhi, you can tie a Kalava instead.
Choose Thoughtful Gifts: Choose gifts that are considerate and suitable for the occasion. Avoid giving black clothes or strongly flavored items. These items are believed to bring negativity to relationships.
Wear Bright Colors: Both brothers and sisters should avoid wearing black clothes on Raksha Bandhan. Instead, opt for bright and auspicious colors like red or yellow.
Food Choices: Avoid consuming non-vegetarian food, alcohol, garlic, and onions on Raksha Bandhan. Opt for pure and sattvic (pure and simple) food instead.
Applying Tilak: While applying a tilak on your brother's forehead, you can use sandalwood paste or roli. Avoid using sindoor (vermilion) as it's a symbol of married women.
Raksha Bandhan Puja Thali
Your puja thali should have incense, a ghee lamp. Keep roli and sandalwood paste in it. You should also place akshat (unbroken rice) in it. Your brother's rakhi (protective thread) should also be kept in the same thali, along with sweets.
Raksha Bandhan Puja Vidhi (Raksha Bandhan Puja Procedure)
On the day of Raksha Bandhan, first, both the brother and sister should wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and wear clean clothes.
Then, offer water to the Sun god after wearing clean clothes. Next, perform the puja in the home's temple or a nearby temple. After worshipping the deity, gather the materials needed for tying the rakhi.
After that, take a clean plate made of silver, brass, copper, or steel. Spread a beautiful, clean cloth on it.
Place a kalash (pitcher), coconut, betel nut, kalava (sacred thread), roli, sandalwood paste, akshat, curd, rakhi, and sweets on the plate. Also, place a ghee lamp on the plate.
This plate should be offered to the deity in the home or temple.
Begin by offering rakhi to Lord Krishna and Lord Ganesha. After offering rakhi to the deity, follow the auspicious timing and seat your brother facing either the east or north direction. Apply tilak on his forehead, then tie the rakhi (protective thread), and after that, perform his aarti (ritual of waving light).
Afterward, offer your brother sweets to make the moment sweeter. While tying the rakhi, remember that both the brother and sister's heads should be covered with cloth. After tying the rakhi, seek blessings from parents or elders.
Mythological Significance of Raksha Bandhan
The thread tied for protection is known as 'raksha sutra.' It is believed that during the Rajasuya Yajna, Draupadi tied a piece of her saree as a 'raksha sutra' on Lord Krishna's wrist.
This practice then turned into the tradition of sisters tying rakhis on their brothers' wrists.
Additionally, in ancient times, Brahmins would tie a rakhi on their patrons as a symbol of protection and good luck.
On this day, Vedpathis (Vedic scholars) begin the recitation of the Yajur Veda. Therefore, Raksha Bandhan falls on the full moon day of the Shravana month and is also considered auspicious for initiating education."
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