“Brothers are like Street Lights along the road,they don’t make the distance any shorter but they lighten up the path & make the walk worthwhile”
A brother-sister relation is always special. There is an unexpressed love behind the fights between them. An effort to protect when one shouts at or scolds the other. A care when one hides the other’s mistake before their parents/principal.A festival that celebrates this unconditional love between a brother and a sister is called Raksha Bandhan.
“Raksha” means to protect and “Bandhan” means a bond. Thus Raksha Bhandhan means to ‘tie the knot of protection’.The festival depicts a strong, protective and an emtional bond between a brother and sister. This day is also celebrated between a man and women who may be biologically unrelated but share a brother – sister bond.This festival which was earlier celebrated among the Hindus, is now celebrated among almost all faiths. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the Shravana month according to the Hindu calendar. This year, Raksha Bandhan falls on the 10th day of August.
On this day, sisters tie a colorful sacred thread/band called the “Rakhi” on the brother’s wrist as an expression of sister’s love towards him and the brother in return promises to protect his sister in every situation.Two weeks before the festival, local stores put a display of variety of colourful rakhis. The Rakhi would consist of a thread with a designer broach at the centre.“Rakhi is a thread that binds 2 souls in a bond of joy forever!!”. Usually the sister buys the Rakhi for her brother and the brother shops for gifts in return for his sister.Families celebrate this day with various food preparations and sweets. It plays as a perfect occasion for family get together’s.
History says it When the Demon King Bali who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, requested Lord Vishnu to stay in front of him day and night. Lord Vishnu left his own abode, Vaikunth to fulfill King Bali’s request. Goddess Laxmi however was not happy with this and wanted Lord Vishnu back to Vaikunth. On Purnima, Goddess Lakshmi tied a Rakhi on King Bali’s wrist, and asked him to allow Lord Vishnu to return back to Vaikunth. King Bali accepted her as his sister and granted her wish.
Another such legend depicts the origin of Raksha Bandhan from the Mahabharata epic. When Lord Krishna hurt himself while fighting Shishupala to punish him for his henious acts, Draupadi tore a piece of cloth from her sari to cover his wound. Lord Krishna, on this gesture asked her what she wanted. Draupadi had asked for his Divine presence around her. Lord Krishna confirmed to help her whenever she called for him. Later when Kauravas had tried to disrobe Draupadi in their court, she called out for Lord Krishna for help. Lord Krishna protected her by giving her a Saree that was infinitely long. This saved Draupadi from being dishonored.Many such legends related to the festival of Raksha Bandhan exist.
In Nashik we often see people move away from the city,they tend relocate 
to Mumbai ,Pune Banglore for education and career puposes, it is difficult for siblings to meet often. Raksha Bandhan in this case turns out to be perfect planned occasion to meet your siblings.Page3 Nashik wishes that every sister meets her brother this year and celebrate their sacred bond.Page3 would conclude in Kishore Kumar’s words
“Phoolon ka taaron ka, sabaka kehana hai,Ek hazaaron mein meri behanaa hai”
