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A Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, marked by sisters tying a protective thread (rakhi) around their brothers' wrists.
रक्षा बंधन पर बहन ने भाई की कलाई पर राखी बाँधी।
On Raksha Bandhan, the sister tied a rakhi on her brother's wrist.
The festival symbolizes the sister's prayers for her brother's well-being and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her.
Raksha Bandhan is not just about siblings; it can also symbolize protection between friends or mentors and mentees in modern contexts.
Raksha Bandhan falls on the full moon day (Shravan Purnima) in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan (July-August).
From Sanskrit 'रक्षा' (protection) + 'बंधन' (bond/tie). The festival's origin traces back to ancient Hindu mythology, where the goddess Lakshmi tied a rakhi to the demon king Bali, symbolizing protection.
Primarily observed in India and Nepal, but also celebrated by Hindu communities worldwide. The date varies yearly as it follows the Hindu lunar calendar (typically August).