Raksha Bandhan is a great Indian festival. It is celebrates since centuries all over the country. Though basically centered on siblings, yet the ntire family celebrates it. There is family get together and feasting. Preparation of sumptuous food is the attraction of the day. Besides, traditional customs, rites and rituals are also religiously followed.
There are many legends that surround the origin of Rakhi celebration. The festival is rich with mythological stories and epic tales. There is a ‘pauranic’ legend of Indra and Indrani regarding the significance of Raksha Bandhan. This legend can be described as taken from ‘Bhavishya Puran’. Legend goes that there was a long war between the Gods and the Demons. King Brutra led the demons whereas Gods were led by Lord Indra.
The story of the Indra and Indrani is sure to set the importance of Raksha Bandhan for the generations to come. The story is told here. The group of the Gods were on the defeating end and hence, Lord Indra was quite worried about the end of the war. He did not what to do.
He approached his guru ‘Brihaspati’ and sought the advice. At this crucial moment, his Guru Brihaspati asked Lord Indra to get a Rakhi or chasm tied on his wrist by his wife Indrani. He also said this wristlet should be empowered by the sacred mantras canted on the full moon day or Shravana Purnima.
Thereafter, Indrani or Sachi—Indra’s wife empowered the thread and tied it on to his hand on the Rakhi ‘poornima’. The power of the sacred thread called Raksha helped the Gods to win the battle safely. So, this led to the continuance of tying an amulet on a man’s wrist. However, today sisters tie Rakhis to their brother’s wrist for protection and pray to God for his well being.
sendrakhi.com offers you an insight into the story of Indra and Indrani. For more information on legends of Raksha Bandhan’s history, stay glued to the website.