Raksha Bandhan (Rishi Tarpani or Sravani Purnima)

On the day of Raksha Bandhan Hindus make themselves neat and clean by bathing early in the morning, either at a sacred river or at a place of pilgrimage where clean and pure water is available with ingredients like clean soil, ash and cow dung, because bathing with these items are considered important and beneficial for healthy life by Hindu scriptures. After that, they sprinkle upamarga on their body with kush and dubo, which is considered to' be a medicinal potion, and offer a new janai to the invited Brahamin, who conducts the day's ceremony, and himself also change his old janai with a new and blessed one before he pays his homage" to Gayatri.

After having purified the body externally they take panchagabya to purify themselves internally too. Panchagabya is considered to be a penecca for many diseases by Hindus. Then, the all parvading and life sustaining planet, the sun, is worshipped followed by Rishi puja. They than read a portion of veda after which the Brahamin ties Raksha sutra on their wrist. The system of cleaning ourself both externally and internally is not only a vedic custom but it is very much scientific and hygienic beneficial to man, that is why, anyone whether he is in his Gristhi or Brahmachari or in his Banaprastha ashram is free to participate in the celebration. This has been authenticated and approved even by Prayog Parijat, a renowned Hindu book.

Nature has much curing effects on both the physical and mental aliments of a man. Use of soil, cow dung, grass, herbs and shrubs either directly or indirectly to cure diseases is a scientific method.

In gratitude for their philanthropic activities and thoughts of ancient Rishis like Kashap, Atree, Bharadauj, Bishwamitra, Gautam and Basista, who were more like 'ancient scientists these rishis are paid homage for their guidance and good deeds for humanity. By listening to vedic sermons and changing a new janai on the day of Raksha Bandhan, all Hindus emotionally experience a sense of being spiritually purified which compell them to offer their heartfelt thanks to their learned ancient Rishis, which indirectly help them to enhance their spiritual development

"Sarvarogopasman Sarwa Subabinash nama Sakritakitay mapdamek yanaraksha krita Vhawayta" -

The thread blessed with vedic mantra, akchata, mustard, dubo and sarvodi can clean a man of his sins committed by his body, mind and words. It cures his diseases and prevents him from facing embrassing and sinful situations.

This festival is celebrated throughout India. In Hindi language this festival is called Rakhi. August, being a month of rainy season the people are less exposed to sunlight and are more prove to contagious diseases, therefore, tying of such a disease and germs preventive thread is more than a welcome to all, which directly instills a psychological sentiment of "May I live safer throughout the year".

All over India this festival is celebrated tumultuously not only as a religious ceremony but also as a special occasion to renew the love and relationship between the brothers and sisters. Even the History tells us how the Hindus have given a new direction and a new interpretation in matters of safeguarding and protecting their women folks against any kind of aggression through the inspiration of this festival of Raksha Bandhan - But originally this festival only emphasized and encouraged a strong bond of love and sincerity between a husband and his wife but with the change of time its connotation too have widened.

Inspired and impelled by the sentiment of the fragile thread of Raksha Bandhan the- brave Rajputan soldiers sacrificed their life protecting the chastity of their sisters from their enemies when these gallant and valiant were approached by their sisters for help with rakhis in their hands.

Foreign writer, Colonel Tad in his book recounts the story of how Queen Karunawali approached king Humayu with a rakhi for help and who promptly responded with help to rescue his Hindu sister when Mayore was attacked by Bahadur Shah of Gujrat.

Similarly, Sir Surendranath Banerjee had also instilled a feeling of unity and integrity among Bengalis during freedom struggle by tying rakhi on Raksha Bandhan.

               meaning, “The reason why the demon king Baliraj remained secured and safe even after giving everything he had to God Baman was only because of Raksha Bandhan. And Oh! Rakhi, with the same intention  too tie you round my wrist. Protect me and remain steadfast to your vow".

Hindus use the thread of rakhi, tied on this festival, to make garland to pay homage to the cow and the bull on the day of Gai Tihar.

Hindus have been celebrating Raksha Bandhan since vedic times as an .important festival with a firm belief that it enabled them to purify themselves physically and spiritually and to renew-their relationship with their sisters. Although today a great change has come to this otherwise a simple ritualistic celebration with different innovations and decorations with different colours, but the basic idealism and sentiments of the ceremony have not changed as yet and still holds the same meaning even today. Therefore, it is our duty and responsibility to perpetuate this custom through all generations to come.