We all know the popular ritual of tying the thread on your brother's wrist and enjoying the Rakhi gifts, but what if we told you— you can tie Rakhi on your husband's wrists too!

Shakes the popular beliefs right? Well, in this blog we'll debunk a lot of other myths around Rakhi, uncover the various stories tracing its origin and also, we have saved some amazing raksha bandhan gift ideas at the end! 

Let's begin! 

What is Rakhi, When is it and Why It is celebrated? 

‘Rakshabandhan’ as  the name suggests, is all about protection. "Raksha" means protection in Sanskrit, and "Bandhan" means "to tie." So, literally, it's the "tie of protection." ️  And you can celebrate it with anyone you feel a deep connection with, someone you want to promise love and protection to. So, It's not just about siblings (although that's a big part of it!)

This tradition goes wayyyy back, centuries in fact!  Tying a cotton thread (the Rakhi) and getting a sweet return gift has been a part of the ritual for ages.

Traditionally, Rakshabandhan falls on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar calendar in the month of Shravana, which usually lands in August of our regular calendar.    

Mark your calendars!

This year, Rakshabandhan falls on the 19th of August, 2024.

Did you know?

Rakshabandhan goes beyond the celebration of siblings’ bond and is traditionally meant for the purpose of expressing love and protection for just ‘any’ relationship.

Even a wife can tie Rakhi to her husband, a student to their teacher, or even friends can tie Rakhis on each other's wrists! The act of tying the Rakhi strengthens the promise of respect, love, and, of course, protection between two individuals, regardless of their relationship.

Popular Legends on Rakshabandhan 

The most famous legend and the one that’s considered as the origin of this ritual, relates to a war between the Gods and the Demons. The Gods, led by Lord Indra, were on the brink of defeat. At this point Guru Brihaspati advised him to tie a sacred thread, blessed with mantras, on his wrist on Shravan Purnima. Indra's wife, Sachi mata, did the honors, and guess what? The Gods won! Since then, women have been tying threads on soldiers' wrists as Yagnopaveetham, hoping it will protect them and lead to victory.

Another legend, according to the Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana, tells of when Lord Vishnu, in his Dwarf avatar, won the three worlds from the demon King Bali. When the Lord covered the heavens and the Earth, King Bali offered his head for the Lord to place his third foot, pushing him to the patal loka. Lord Vishnu was pleased by Bali's generosity and granted him a boon. Bali asked the Lord to stay with him in his palace, and Vishnu agreed. However, Goddess Lakshmi, wanted him back in Vaikuntha. So, she tied a rakhi around Bali’s wrist, making him her brother. In return, she asked Bali to free Vishnu from his vow, and Bali agreed.  

And it was not only meant for brother and sister but friends too! Through the tales of our epic Mahabharata, we know that once Lord Krishna cut his finger, Draupadi tore a piece of her saree to bandage it, symbolising protection.  That piece of cloth became a sacred thread, highlighting the Rakshabandhan’s true meaning i.e., protection. 

But is it limited only to the Hindus, Jains and Sikhs? Absolutely not! 

When Bahadur Shah attacked Mewar in the 16th century, Karnavati sent a Rakhi to Humayun, asking for help. Touched by this gesture, Humayun ordered Bahadur Shah to stop his attack. Even in the early 20th century, during the partition of Bengal in 1905, Rabindranath Tagore revived Rakshabandhan as a symbol of unity and brotherhood among all communities in India. He believed tying Rakhi could symbolise a bond of protection not just between siblings but also among people of different backgrounds. Hence, the Hindus and the muslims were encouraged to tie Rakhi or the cotton thread of protection around each other's wrists as a symbolic representation of unbreakable bond and unity. 

Isn't it amazing how a simple thread can carry so much meaning and history?

Debunking Rakhi Myths

Myth 1: Raksha Bandhan is Celebrated Only Between Blood Siblings

• Reality Check: Raksha Bandhan is all about the bond of protection and love, not just blood relations. Many mythological stories, like Queen Kunti tying a rakhi to her grandson Abhimanyu, show that anyone can celebrate this festival.
  
  

Myth 2: The First Rakhi Was Tied by a Sister to Her Brother

• Reality Check:  The first rakhi was actually tied by Indrani (Sachi Mata), the wife of Indra, to her husband during a war, seeking his protection.
  
  

Myth 3: Raksha Bandhan is Celebrated Only in India

• Reality Check: Raksha Bandhan is not exclusive to India. Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal also observe this festival, calling it Janai Purnima or Rishitarpani.
  
  

Myth 4: Raksha Bandhan is a Modern Festival

• Reality Check: Raksha Bandhan has ancient roots and is mentioned in Hindu texts and mythology. It has been celebrated for centuries, not just in contemporary times.
  
  

Myth 5: Raksha Bandhan is a Festival of Only Hindus

• Reality Check: Raksha Bandhan is not a Hindu exclusive festival and celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. Rabindranath Tagore re-initiated this celebration in 1905 and encouraged both Hindus and Muslims to tie Rakhi on each other's wrists as a gesture of protection and unity. Hence, This festival is about the bond of protection and love, which transcends religious boundaries.
   

Myth 6: Fancy Threads Provide Better Protection 

• Reality Check: Traditional beliefs hold that a simple cotton thread, empowered with prayers and mantras, provides the best protection from negative energies. 
  
  

Auspicious Gifts for Rakshabandhan Celebration 

If you're looking to cue some happy tears, jewellery gifts for rakhi have got a special place in the treasure trove of ideas! And why not? festive jewellery hangs close to the hearts of the Indian ladies and remember— diamonds are a girl's best friend. So well, they are your sister's too! 

But our rakhi jewellery gifts collection is special. It's handcrafted, meaningful, precious and absolutely customisable! 

Gold and Diamond Jewellery: 

When confused about the ideal jewellery gift, we suggest you pick a gorgeous sparkling pair of diamond earrings for your sister. They're always free-size, versatile and a girl can never have enough of this! You can also go with Diamond nose pins, stackable rings or even a diamond promise ring as a word of protecting her forever! And well a pendant necklace like this Pave-Set Natural Diamond Dove Pendant Necklace won't be a bad choice either — after all, you wanna feather her wings right? 

Coloured Gemstone Jewellery: 

This category is here to fill colours into her life! You can pick her birthstone, or astrology favoured stones or simply add a punch of her favourite colour to the jewellery box. She'll love it and won't want to put it off-take our words for it! 

Pearl Jewellery:

Ever versatile and elegant, pearls are an everyday pick from casual to parties and even office wear! Plus you get to pair them with diamond and other gemstones to add that extra shimmer. 

Protection Charm Jewellery: 

Distance can't break your bond!  A hamsa hand pendant or a diamond cross necklace can be a constant reminder that her guardian angels, and of course, you, are always watching over her.

Gold Coins: 

And if you're skeptical about her choice in jewellery, simply go with the BIS Hallmarked Angara gold coins. They're luxurious, hold their value, and grow more precious with each passing year – just like your love for her!

This Rakhi, make a memory that lasts a lifetime. Give her the gift of love, protection, and dazzling style with our unique jewellery collection! 

P.S. Check out our website to see our full collection and find the perfect Rakhi jewellery gift for your amazing sister!

FAQs

1. Can a wife tie rakhi to husband?
Of Course! Rakhi can be tied as a symbol of love and protection on the wrist of everyone you consider so special. It's just like a promise and prayer that keeps your loved ones safeguarded irrespective of the religion or geographic borders. Even the earliest records of Raksha Bandhan in the Puranas mention the festival being celebrated between a husband and wife, not a brother and sister. 

2. How do I consider the right jewellery for my sister?
Every piece from a trusted jeweller like Angara is the right jewellery. Just make sure it's filled with love and prayers for your sister and resonates with her personality. 

3. Can I personalise the jewellery for rakhi?
Absolutely! with Angara, the customisation possibilities are endless. You can simply explore our website, check out the wide variety of sparkling jewellery pieces, customise on your own terms and even summon our customer services to note the detailings and create a complete one-of-a-kind piece for your celebration.