Raksha Bandhan 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Sisters: Sisters tie a Rakhi (sacred thread) on their brothers' wrists and pray for their long life, health, and success.
• Brothers: Brothers receive the Rakhi with respect and promise to protect and stand by their sisters throughout life.
• Cousins, Friends, and Families: A Rakhi is also tied between cousins and close friends, and in many homes to the family deity and to those who protect the household.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Rakhi Muhurat: The Rakhi is tied while the Shravana Purnima lasts, but never during Bhadra (Vishti Karana), which is avoided for this ceremony. When Bhadra covers the morning, the family waits for it to end. Check the Rakhi muhurat for your city on this page: it is the Purnima of the day, from sunrise to the end of Pradosh, with Bhadra left out.
• Morning Puja: The family deity is worshipped after the morning bath, before the Rakhi is tied.
• Festive Meal: Once the Rakhi is tied, the family shares sweets and a festive meal together.

About the Festival

Raksha Bandhan, "the bond of protection", is a much-loved festival that celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters. The sister ties a sacred thread on her brother's wrist with a tilak, a sweet, and a prayer, and the brother promises to protect her. It takes place on the Purnima (full moon day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravana.

The Katha (Story of Indrani and the Raksha Sutra)

Long ago, a fierce war broke out between the devas and the asuras. For twelve years the battle raged, and the asuras, led by the mighty Vritra, began to overpower the devas. Indra, the king of the devas, grew anxious and lost hope of victory.

His wife, Indrani (Shachi), went to Devguru Brihaspati for help. On his advice, she prepared a sacred thread (Raksha Sutra) on Shravana Purnima, sanctified it with mantras and her prayers, and tied it on Indra's right wrist, praying for his protection and victory. As the Bhavishya Purana tells, Indra went into battle with the thread on his wrist, and by its power the devas defeated the asuras.

The mantra spoken while tying the Rakhi remembers another such thread, by which the generous asura king Bali was bound to dharma: "Yena baddho Bali raja danavendro mahabalah, tena tvam pratibadhnami rakshe ma chala ma chala." Since that day, on Shravana Purnima, the sacred thread of protection has been tied with this mantra, and sisters tie the Rakhi on their brothers' wrists, praying for their wellbeing.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the Rakhi ceremony:

• Rakhi: A Rakhi (sacred thread) for each brother, or a Kalava (sacred red thread)
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Chandan (sandalwood paste), and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and incense sticks
• Puja Thali: A clean plate (Thali) to hold the Rakhi, tilak, Akshat, Diya, and sweets
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Sweets (Mithai), and fruits or a small coconut
• Devotional Accessories: A handkerchief or small cloth for the brother's head, and flowers

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord, today on Raksha Bandhan I tie the sacred thread of protection with pure devotion. Bless my brother with a long life, good health, and success."

Step 2: Worshipping the Family Deity

1. Light the Ghee Diya and incense before the family deity.
2. Offer the first Rakhi, Roli, Akshat, and a sweet to the deity, and pray for the whole family.

Step 3: Preparing the Puja Thali

1. Place the Rakhi, Roli, Akshat, the lit Diya, and the sweets on the thali.
2. Wait for the Rakhi muhurat, after Bhadra has ended.

Step 4: Tilak and Aarti

1. Seat the brother facing east or north, with a handkerchief or cloth on his head.
2. Apply a tilak of Roli and Akshat on his forehead and perform the aarti with the Diya.

Step 5: Tying the Rakhi

1. Tie the Rakhi on the brother's right wrist, chanting the mantra: "Yena baddho Bali raja danavendro mahabalah, tena tvam pratibadhnami rakshe ma chala ma chala."
2. Offer him a sweet and pray for his long life and happiness.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. The brother touches the feet of his elder sister, or the younger sister touches her brother's feet, according to the family's custom (Charan Sparsh), and the elders bless them both.
2. The brother gives his sister a gift with his promise of protection, and the family gives donations (Daan) of sweets or clothes to the needy.
3. Distribute the sweets as prasad and share the festive meal with the family.