Missing my Indian festivals a lot
August 29 is Raksha Bandhan an Indian festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
On this day sisters tie a Rakhi (a sacred thread) on their brother's wrist. It symbolises a sister's love and prayers for the well-being off her brother and her brother's lifelong vow to protect her. Hence Raksha - to protect Bandhan - to tie.
I haven't celebrated this festival for a long time as my brother and I live in different countries. But when we were together in India, I would tie a rakhi on his wrist and give him his favourite sweet (chocolate or cake) and he would give me a gift, usually money.
I think this is a beautiful tradition that brings brothers and sisters closer and reinforces the loving bond that siblings have.
I think the tradition originated sometime in the 1500s when soldiers went to war, their families tied a sacred thread to bless them for success and thereby protect the families and villages.
Raksha Bandhan is one of my favourite festivals and I miss it a lot.
a virtual rakhi for my brother which I will send to him next weekend
Some fragments for Friday though it is now Sunday :)
Updating my CV - less is more is my mantra for it and I've been culling a lot from it. It's looking pretty good now.
Each time my son's assignment hand in date nears, I wonder if it's my test or his.
Winter is nearly over and I am looking forward to some warmer days. It's been so cold lately.
Hope you all had a great week.
Linking to:
Letter F at ABC Wednesday
Six Word Saturday
Wordless Wednesday at Abracadabra
Friday Fragments
Snap Your Week
Friday Reflections - tell us about your brother or sister
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What a lovely festival . . . my culture has these days very few festivals celebrating family, friendship and life. We miss out.
ReplyDeleteSent in my rakhi early this year...phew!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great week, Suzi and hope you get to complete your to-do list.
Pleasure to have you on board
xoxo
That's fascinating traddition. Now I'm in NY, and my sisters are in NC and California
ReplyDeleteWhat a BONDING exercise I shall try it with my sister !
ReplyDeletelovely writing again.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW.team..
What a beautiful way to get families closer #Fridayreflections
ReplyDeleteFirstly my apologies for a late comment, i have been far to busy repairing my blog after a moval from one host to another... and taking care of other things that needed to be taken care of since my husband and i have health issues at the same time.
ReplyDeleteBeing Dutch i ofcourse do not know antything about your traditions etc but i agree with you that we should honour them because they do good things for us all
have a nice weekend
Melody (abc-w-team)