A brother’s promise: Rawalpindi celebrates Raksha Bandhan
The Hindu festival is most recognisable for a ritual involving the tying of a wristband made of sacred thread.
The Hindu festival is most recognisable for a ritual involving the tying of a wristband made of sacred thread.
RAWALPINDI:
Women from the Hindu community of the garrison city celebrated the Raksha Bandhan festival on Tuesday by tying wristbands called rakhis around the wrists of their brothers, whether biological or symbolic.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Kapil Dev, a community leader, said the event aims to renew a pledge taken by male members of the community to respect their sisters and protect them in times of trouble.
The centuries-old hindu festival involves the tying of a decorated ‘rakhi’— sacred thread— by women on their brothers’ wrists as a ceremonious expression of their bond. he occasion is not restricted to siblings as women can tie a rakhi to any man they feel is like a brother to them.
He said the sisters pray for a long, healthy life and prosperity for their brothers, while the brothers in turn promise to protect their sisters and present them with gifts on the day of the festival. Jaypal had a colourful rakhi tied around his wrist. He said the festival revolves around respect and love for one’s family.
“We celebrate Rakhsha Bhandhan to highlight the feeling of respect among siblings and that brothers are responsible for taking care of their sisters,” he said, adding that peace and harmony are at the core of this festival which Hindus celebrate with immense passion. “I pray for peace and prosperity of our country on this moment of happiness,” said Ramesh Kumar, another participant.
Ashwini, who had tied rakhis on many of her brothers, said, “We have spent a lot of money on purchasing rakhis this year due to an increase in prices.” She was happy, however, for the numerous gifts she had received from her brothers. “I am very happy today and pray that Bhagwan continues to shower his blessings on us,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 21st, 2013.
Women from the Hindu community of the garrison city celebrated the Raksha Bandhan festival on Tuesday by tying wristbands called rakhis around the wrists of their brothers, whether biological or symbolic.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Kapil Dev, a community leader, said the event aims to renew a pledge taken by male members of the community to respect their sisters and protect them in times of trouble.
The centuries-old hindu festival involves the tying of a decorated ‘rakhi’— sacred thread— by women on their brothers’ wrists as a ceremonious expression of their bond. he occasion is not restricted to siblings as women can tie a rakhi to any man they feel is like a brother to them.
He said the sisters pray for a long, healthy life and prosperity for their brothers, while the brothers in turn promise to protect their sisters and present them with gifts on the day of the festival. Jaypal had a colourful rakhi tied around his wrist. He said the festival revolves around respect and love for one’s family.
“We celebrate Rakhsha Bhandhan to highlight the feeling of respect among siblings and that brothers are responsible for taking care of their sisters,” he said, adding that peace and harmony are at the core of this festival which Hindus celebrate with immense passion. “I pray for peace and prosperity of our country on this moment of happiness,” said Ramesh Kumar, another participant.
Ashwini, who had tied rakhis on many of her brothers, said, “We have spent a lot of money on purchasing rakhis this year due to an increase in prices.” She was happy, however, for the numerous gifts she had received from her brothers. “I am very happy today and pray that Bhagwan continues to shower his blessings on us,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 21st, 2013.