Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in many unique ways across India; but the love behind it stays the same.
Raksha Bandhan, an Indian festival celebrating the
bond between brothers and sisters, is much more than just a thread tied around the wrist. While the essence of sibling love remains universal, the way Raksha Bandhan is celebrated varies widely across India’s diverse cultural landscape. This article takes you on a journey across some Indian states to explore how different regions infuse their customs, food, and folklore into the celebration. Let us discover how this one festival unites the nation through its vibrant, multifaceted traditions—all rooted in love and togetherness.
Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, the Koli community celebrates Raksha Bandhan alongside Narali Pournima, the traditional coconut festival. As a coastal fishing community, the Kolis pay homage to Varuna, the Hindu god of the sea, by offering prayers and throwing coconuts into the ocean to seek his blessings for prosperity. The day is also marked by a special culinary tradition, where households prepare dishes rich in coconut.
(Credit: DNA India)
Odisha
In Odisha, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Rakhi Purnima or Gamha Purnima. The term ‘Gamha Purnima’ signifies the observance of Lord Balabhadra’s birthday on the same day, who is revered as the god of farming. Along with sisters tying rakhis on their brothers’ wrists, farmers in Odisha also tie rakhis to their cattle on this occasion as a gesture of respect and gratitude.
Jammu
In several parts of North India, kite flying is a popular tradition observed around the time of Janmashtami and Raksha Bandhan. To mark the Rakhi festivities, people take to the skies with kites. In Jammu, kite flying is a central part of Raksha Bandhan celebrations, with the kite string locally known as ‘Gattu Dor.’ The skies come alive as people participate in lively kite-flying contests, adding a playful and competitive spirit to the festive atmosphere.
West Bengal
In West Bengal, the day is also known as Jhulan Purnima. Devotees offer prayers and perform puja dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. This celebration, referred to as Jhulan Yatra in West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha, honours the divine love story of Radha and Krishna. The festivities include a week-long display of beautifully decorated swings, along with singing and dancing.
Madhya Pradesh and Bihar
On this day, farmers offer prayers to their land, while mothers and their sons perform a special pooja. The celebrations begin a week in advance. During this time, farmers’ wives visit the fields and collect soil, wrapping it carefully in leaves. This soil is then seeded with barley and placed in a clean, decorated area of the house. After seven days, the mothers remove the pots and immerse them in a well or river as part of the ritual.
