What is Raksha Bandhan and Why Do We Celebrate it?

Raksha Bandhan is one of the most pious and auspicious Indian festivals that encompasses the beautiful relationship between brothers and sisters. With a rich history, this celebrity occasion has been enamored for centuries.

But what began as a festival that symbolizes and celebrates biological ties has emerged as a bonding of community and camaraderie over the years. In this space, we are going to discuss the relevance of the festival, its historical significance, how it has gained popularity around the world including in Dubai, and the gift ideas for Rakhi that you can surprise your sibling with.

Meaning of Raksha Bandhan

The literal translation of Raksha Bandhan emerges from two Hindi words - 'Raksha' implying 'protection' and 'Bandhan' implying 'bond'. So, the phrase Raksha Bandhan signifies a protective bond that connects brothers and sisters and celebrates their unconditioned love, respect, and care for each other. Irrespective of cast, creed, and age, people from all walks of life participate in this festival.

On Raksha Bandhan, traditionally sisters tie the auspicious thread known as Rakhi around the wrist of their brothers and pray for their well-being. In return, brothers show their love in the form of gifts and vow lifelong protection towards their sisters. Although it is primarily a celebration of brother-sister relationships, it is also celebrated among cousins, sisters and brothers-in-law, fraternal aunts and nephews, and grandparents and grandchildren, among others.

Usually celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Shravana which mostly falls in August, it is one of the joyous occasions that is celebrated with full vigor across the Indian subcontinent and worldwide.

History of Raksha Bandhan

The birth of Raksha Bandhan is filled with various mythological and historical significances and there are various interpretations of its origin. Among the numerous accounts of its roots, here are the most prevalent ones.

Mahabharata

The Hindu epic Mahabharata depicts the festival of Rakhi when one of the central female protagonists Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, tied a Rakhi across the wrist of Lord Krishna.

In another instance, before the start of the epic war, Kunti tied a Rakhi across the wrist of her grandson Abhimanyu.

Goddess Lakshmi and King Bali

According to Bhagwat Purana and Vishnu Purana, King Bali once asked Lord Vishnu to stay with him in his palace. Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu, was not pleased with this decision and wanted him to return to his native place.

This led to her tying a Rakhi around the wrist of Bali. When Bali asked what gift she wanted in return, she asked him to let her husband return to his native place which Bali complied with, showing the strength of the promise and wow of Raksha Bandhan in which words are always kept and never broken.

Indra Dev and Sachi

Another interesting origin of Rakhi emerges from Bhavishya Purana. Although the significance of the protection of Rakhi remains the same, unlike present times, in the story, the Rakhi is not shared between siblings and is instead shared between spouses.

When Lord Indra faced extreme challenges in defeating King Bali, his wife Sachi went to Lord Vishnu who gave her a holy bracelet to tie around her husband Lord Indra. Once she did that, Lord Indra valiantly defeated King Bali and won a long war, owing to the protection from his wife in the form of Rakhi.

Yama & Yamuna

Although not directly connected to Rakhi, this story is connected to the birth of another prestigious festival of siblings. Yama, the god of death, once did not visit his sister Yamuna for a long period of 12 years. When on the advice of Ganga, Yama ultimately went to visit Yamuna, he was greeted with unparalleled hospitality.

Pleased by the care, he asked her to wish for a gift upon which she expressed her desire to visit her brother again and again. This led to Yama making Yamuna immortal and the birth of another brother-sister relationship festival called Bhai Dooj.

Raksha Bandhan in Dubai

Dubai is a multifaceted city that has witnessed immigration from all across the world. This has resulted in it becoming one of the most culturally diverse cities in the globe, which is why you can find people of all faiths, religions, and backgrounds in this city.

Needless to say, Raksha Bandhan is also celebrated with immense pride and honor among the Hindu community of the city. It has transcended the boundaries of blood relationships, as people forge a community through this festival where people make new siblings by tying this auspicious thread on the hands of their loved ones and gifting each other boxes of sweets.

Rakhi Gifts in Dubai

Raksha Bandhan is incomplete without gifts and what better gift you can give to your sibling than something that has an Indian touch to it? Speaking of Indian touch, you can never go wrong with an eclectic collection of Indian sweets.

Even if you are in Dubai and thousands of miles away from India, we make sure that you have the best Indian sweets that you can present to your beloved sibling to sweeten the day and your relationship with them even more.

Our pure veg Indian restaurants spread all across Dubai in JLT, Silicon Oasis, Al Arjan , Deira, and Karama offer an assorted collection of mouth-watering Indian sweets for you to enjoy. Whether you buy them directly from the stores or order online, you will never be disappointed with the delectable presentation and delicious taste.

Here are some of the cherished hampers and delightful sweet boxes that you can give to your sibling on Raksha Bandhan.

Rakhi Special Hampers

Prepared by our professional dessert chefs, the Rakhi special hamper is the perfect gift for your sibling on this auspicious occasion.

Rakhi Special Hamper Small

The Rakhi Special Hamper Small comprises 4 pieces of premium sweet, Almond Tin, Besan Papdi, and Pudina Mathi, along with a Rakhi, and Tika.

Rakhi Special Hamper Medium

The Rakhi Special Hamper Medium comprises 600 gm of Kaju Mix along with an assorted collection of Almond Tin, Besan Papdi, Pudina Mathi, Namak Para, and a candle, Rakhi, and Tika.

Rakhi Special Hamper Large

The Rakhi Special Hamper Large comprises 600 gm of Kaju Mix along with an assorted collection of Almond Tin, Besan Papdi, Pudina Mathi, Ghee Tin, Namak Para, Ganthiya, and a candle, Rakhi, and Tika.

Premium Sweet Boxes

We also offer premium sweet boxes that you can have to sweeten this auspicious day and make it memorable.

12 Pcs Premium Healthy Sweet Box Zero-Sugar 12 Pcs

The 12 Pcs Premium Healthy Sweet Box Zero-Sugar consists of 3 pcs Rose Laddoo, 3 pcs Dates Chikki, 2 pcs Figs Dry Fruits Chikki, 2 pcs Prunes Dry Fruits Chikki, 2 pcs Dates Pistachio Dry Fruits Balls, and a Rakhi.

16 Pcs Premium Healthy Sweet Box Zero-Sugar

The 16 Pcs Premium Healthy Sweet Box Zero-Sugar consists of 4 pcs Rose Laddoo, 3 pcs Dates Chikki, 3 pcs Figs Dry Fruits Chikki, 3 pcs Prunes Dry Fruits Chikki, 3 pcs Dates Pistachio Dry Fruits Balls, and a Rakhi.

30 Pcs Premium Healthy Sweet Box Zero-Sugar 1 30 Pcs

The 30 Pcs Premium Healthy Sweet Box Zero-Sugar 1 consists of 6 pcs Dates Dry Fruit Chikki, 6 pcs Figs Dry Fruits Chikki, 6 pcs Apricot Dry Fruit Chikki, 6 pcs Prunes Dry Fruits Chikki, 6 pcs Dates Pistachio Dry Fruits Balls, and a Rakhi.

Conclusion

Raksha Bandhan is an auspicious Indian occasion that is celebrated not only in the Indian subcontinent but across the globe. The multicultural aspect of Dubai witnesses some epic celebrations of this pious festival. Strengthen your bond with your siblings by vowing to protect them and caring for them and surprise them with a delectable and assorted box of Indian sweets.