Rakshabandhan occurs on the day when Purnima (full moon) of the Hindu month Shravan prevails during Aparahan Kaal. However, below given rules must be taken into consideration:
1. If Bhadra falls in the Aparahan Kaal on Purnima, Raksha Bandhan rituals cannot be performed in this duration. In such case, if on the next day, Purnima is prevailing in the first 3 Muhurats of the day, the rituals can be performed in the Aparahankaal of the second day. It is because at that time, Sakalyapadit Purnima will exist.
2. If Purnima is not prevailing in the first 3 Muhurats of the next day, Sakalyapadit Purnima will also not exist. In such situation, Rakshabandhan can be celebrated on the first day after Bhadra in the latter half of Pradosh.
Aparahankaal is not considered important at many places like Punjab. Hence, they celebrate the festival before Madhyahn, i.e. usually during early morning. But, our scriptures completely prohibit Raksha Bandhan celebrations during Bhadra, no matter what the situation is.
During Grahan Sutak and Sankranti (transit of Sun), this festival is celebrated without any restriction.
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On the festival of Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers. They wish for the long life, prosperity, happiness, etc. of their brother(s).
A little packet of protection (Potli) carrying Akshat (Rice), yellow mustard seeds, golden wire, etc. must be tied on the right hand of the brothers by sisters. Same can be done by Brahmans to their Yajmans. Following Mantra must be chanted while doing this:
ॐ येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः।
तेन त्वामपि बध्नामि रक्षे मा चल मा चल।।
Potli can be properly worshiped by placing it on a Kalash (stoup) in a clean corner of the house before tying it on the hand.
The above Mantra has a story behind it. It is the Katha that can be recited during the Puja. Let’s know it:
Once Yudhishthir asked Lord Krishna to tell him the story that can take away all the pains of human life. The story told by Krishna goes like this:
In ancient times, Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) fought for 12 years continuously. The Asuras were winning the war. King of the Asuras brought all 3 Lokas (worlds) under his control and announced himself the Lord of the universe. Being tortured by the Asuras, Lord of the Gods, Indra consulted Guru Brihaspati (Mentor of the Devas) and requested him to do something for their protection. On Shravana Purnima, early in the morning, Raksha Vidhan (process to form protection) was accomplished.
Guru Brihaspati had chanted the above given Mantra for the Raksha Vidhan. Indra, along with his wife, recited the Mantra with Guru Brihaspati. Indrani, the consort of Indra, got Raksha Sutra validated by all the Brahmins and Purohits; and then tied it on the right hand of Indra. With the help of this Sutra, Lord Indra could win over the Asuras.
There is another unique way of celebrating Raksha Bandhan. Women get ready in the morning for Puja and then put gold on the walls of their home. Further, they worship this gold with vermicelli dessert (Sevaiyan), sweet rice porridge (Kheer), and sweets. They stick the Rakhi threads on the gold with the help of those sweet dishes. Those women who sow wheat on Nag Panchami, keep these little plants in this worship, and after tying Rakhi on the wrists of their brothers, they put these plants on their ears.
Some people keep fast a day before this day. On the day of Rakshabandhan, they celebrate Rakhi following the Vedic rituals. Also, they perform Pitru Tarpan (homage to the departed souls of the family), and Rishi Pujan or Rishi Tarpan (homage to the saints).
In some regions, people also perform Shravan Pujan. It is performed to pay the homage to the Shravan Kumar, who had died by the hands of King Dashrath by mistake.
On Raksha Bandhan, brothers give nice gifts to their sisters to make them happy. If one doesn’t have his own sister, Rakshabandhan can be celebrated with a cousin or anyone who is like a sister.
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Some legends are already given above in the pursuit of explaining certain Puja Vidhis. Rest of the associated legends are mentioned below:
As per the mythologies, on this day, Draupadi had tied Krishna’s wounded hand with a piece of her Saree. Being grateful, he made a promise to Draupadi that he will protect her. That is why, Krishna came to the rescue of Draupadi during Cheer-Haran by Dushasana.
There is another legend in history of the Queen of Chittor, Karmavati. She had sent Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor Humayun in order to seek help from him. Humayun kept the respect of her Rakhi and sent forces to fight for the respect of his sister from the Emperor of Gujarat.
On this day only, Goddess Lakshmi had tied Rakhi on the wrist of King Bali, after his polite request.
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