also called Rakhi Purnima or simply Rakhi in many parts of India and Nepal, is a Hindu religious and secular festival.[2] In simple words, Raksha bandhan means "Bond of Protection" [3]
The festival celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters. It is also popularly used to celebrate any brother-sister relationship between men and women who may or may not be biologically related. The festival is also observed by Jains as a religious festival,[4] as on Raksha Bandhan, Jain priests give threads to devotees.[5] The Brahmins and Bahuns (Vedic Brahmins) of Nepal and North India change their Janai on this occasion.[6][7]
The festival is also celebrated by many communities as a secular festival.[8] This secular aspect is observed among all people, irrespective of their religion, in West Bengal and Punjab.[9] Various fairs are held in Punjab to mark the occasion.[10]
On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a rakhi (sacred thread) on her brother's wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her.[11][12] The festival falls on the full moon day (Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar Nepali calendar.[13] Raksha Bandhan is primarily observed in northern and western India, Mauritius and major parts of Nepal. It is also celebrated by Hindus in parts of Pakistan,[14] and by some non-resident Indians and non-resident