Rakshan Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a cultural festival celebrated in Shravana month on Purnima day by people of all religions. 

During this festival sisters tie Raksha Thread on hands of their brothers while chanting sacred Brihaspati mantra.   This divine thread brings victory & success to their brothers for the entire year 

Brothers in turn take pledge to protect their sisters from all adversity & ensure their prosperity. 

LEGEND OF RAKSHA BANDHAN

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The legend of Bhavishya Purana behind the ritual of Raksha Bandhan has been authentically mentioned in Religion Text of Vratraj 

Ages ago, Gods lost the 12yrs intense battle to Demons. Indra consulted his Guru Brihaspati, who suggested Raksha Vidhan along with the sacred Mantras to perform it.

On the day of Shravana Purnima ritual of Raksha Vidhan was performed. During Raksha Vidhan, the Raksha Potli was fortified with sacred Mantra. After Puja this Raksha Potli was tied to the right hand of Indra.

Due to power of Raksha Potli, Indra was able to defeat Demons and get back His lost kingdom. Since then the ritual of Raksha Bandhan is performed with great reverence by people of all religion. 

MAHURAT OF RAKSHA BANDAN

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In 2014 Muhurat Time to tie Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan is from 13:37 to 21:11. Duration 

7 Hours 33 Mins

Within this Mahurat Aparahan Time from 13:45 to 16:23 is most auspicious for Rakhi ceremony. Duration 2 Hours 37 Mins

Within this Mahurat Time Pradosh Time from 19:01 to 21:11 is also good for tying Rakhi. Duration 2hrs 10Mins

Bhadra is a malicious time which should be avoided for all auspicious work. Accordingly Vratraj, also advises to avoid Bhadra time during Raksha Bandhan festival.

The Inauspicious time of Bhadra which should be avoided for tying Rakhi is Bhadra Mukha from 11:07 to 12:47 & Bhadra Punchha from 10:07 to 11:07

PUJA THALI

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Raksha Bandhan Puja Thali should have undermentioned items:- 

One Thali - Silver Thali is most popular during Raksha Bandhan. Hindu Symbols of Om and Swastik should be drawn in the center of Puja Thali.

Puja Rice - Puja rice are called Akshat which are unbroken white rice. Tilak done on forehead during Puja is then dotted with Akshat rice.

Puja Roli - Puja Roli is made by mixing Haldi (turmeric) and Chuna (lime) which is being used for ages during Puja is also kept in Thali. Raksha Bandhan rituals begins with Roli Tilak on the forehead. 

One Nariyal - Traditionally Nariyal, unpeeled and unbroken coconut, is used in Puja and sisters offer it to her brothers during Puja. Instead of Nariyal unbroken betel nuts can also be used in Puja Thali.

One Small Kalash - One small Kalash filled with fresh water is also kept in Puja Thali. Kalash filled with the water is considered a sign of prosperity, abundance and fulfillment. The water from Kalash is used to make Roli paste for drawing Swastik and Raksha Tilak.

Raksha Potli - According to religious texts, Raksha Potli should be filled with rice, white mustard and gold (or gold thread). But traditional Raksha Potli is out of popularity, a tiny homemade Potli is generally gifted by sister to her brother.

Rakhi - Rakhi is modern substitute of Raksha Potli are kept in even numbers in the Thali. Rakhi is kept in pair one for Bhaiya and another for Bhabhi.

Rakhi Sweets - Ghevar is must sweet for Puja Thali. Ghevar is offered to brothers by sisters with their own hand after Tilak and Raksha thread.

RITUAL OF RAKSHA BANDHAN

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Raksha Bandhan is ritualistic tying of the thread with Potli by all sisters, which protects the brothers from all sorts of diseases, fear and failure for the entire year. 

This sacred thread tied by sisters give divine powers to their brothers and ensure them victory, comfort, sons, grandsons, wealth and health.

Sisters tie the Rakhi thread on the wrist of their brothers and seek their protection. 

The Puja Vidhi for Raksha Bandhan has been described in detail in Vratraj. 

On the day of Shravana Purnima, a full ritualistic bath should be performed by both brothers  & sisters during Pratahkal before sunrise. After bath one should perform Deva and Pitra Tarpan, a ritual to appease Gods and ancestors. 

The ritual of Upakarma, should be done in the morning. All gates in the house whether internal or external are marked with Swastik sign with Ram written on it. Special prayers is done on all these sign as mark of respect for the expected guests.  

The main ritual of Raksha Bandhan involves the worship of Raksha Potli or Rakhi Thread by Sister to make it divine by chanting sacred Mantras.

After Bhudeva Puja, Rakhi or Raksha Potli should be fastened to the wrist of brother along with the chanting of Mantras. The Mantra which should be chanted while tying Raksha Potli is given below -

"Yen Badho Bali Raja Danvendro Mahabalah!

Ten Tvaama Bhibha Dhamani Rakshe Maachal Maachal !!

The meaning of Raksha Mantra is as following - 

"I tie you with the same Raksha thread which tied the most powerful, the king of courage, the king of demons, Bali. O Raksha thread, please don't move and keep fixed throughout the year."

Raksha Bandhan truly glorify divine selfless affection between sisters & brothers