1. By Sayna, vanessa, lidia and ruohan
Raksha Bandhan
By Sayna, vanessa, lidia and ruohan

2. What is Raksha Bandhan?
Celebration of unconditional love shared between brothers and sisters in which the brother and sister pray for well being for the other, helping bind the family through love and oneness
A thread of love (a bracelet) called rakhi is tied onto the brothers wrist by the sister, who also feeds him sweets. The rakhi symbolizes security, protection and love between the two participants.

3. What is Raksha Bandhan? (cnt’d)
Brother gives a gift (usually money) to the sister, along with a vow of protection and devotion
Considered the day that bestows blessings and puts an end to all sins.
Although once exclusive to only brother and sister, now close friends and neighbors who are thought of as brotherly are also included

4. When is Raksha Bandhan? August 21 2013
Different date each year depending on the day of the full moon during the Shravan Poornima of the Shravan month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar (August)
There is one day dedicated to Raksha Bandhan , however the actual ceremony does not take very long

5. History of Raksha Bandhan
Dates as far back as 6000 years
The Rishis tied rakhi’s onto the people who were seeking their blessings.
Sages tied thread to themselves as a safeguard from evil.
Historical evidence on next slide

6. Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun
Most significant evidence in history
Took place during medieval era
The Muslims attacked a Rajputs (a Hindu clan)
Rani Karnavati, the widowed Queen of Chittor realized there was no way of stopping the Sultan of Gujarat’s troops.
She gave him a rakhi, which touched him very deeply, and was the reason he stopped the troops

7. Alexander The Great and King Puru
Oldest reference to Raksha Bandhan (goes back to 300 B.C)
During the time when King Alexander the Great of Macedonia invaded India
After his first attempt, King Alexander was very afraid of the wrath of the angry Indian King Puru
King Alexander’s wife, upset by this and having heard of the Rakhi festival, went to King Puru, who accepted her as his sister
When war broke out and the opportunity arose, King Puru avoided clashing with Alexander

8. Lord Krishna and Draupadi
Lord Krishna killed evil King Shishupal to protect the good people
Krishna was hurt during the war and left with bleeding fingers so Draupadi tore a strip of cloth from her sari and tied it around his wrist in order for the bleeding to stop.
Realizing her affection and concern about him, Lord Krishna declared himself tied by her sisterly love.
Promised to help her whenever she needed it
Years later, the pandavas lost Draupadi in a dice game and the Kauravas were removing her saari, Lord Krishna helped her divinely lengthen the saari so it could not be removed

9. Rituals of Raksha Bandhan
Sister prepares a puja thali (decorative plate) with chawal (a rice dish), roli (a coloured powder) and diya (a clay oil lamp) to be offered to deities
Ritual begins with a prayer in front of God
Sister ties rakhi around the male’s wrist while chanting mantras, wishing him happiness and well-being and feeding him sweets (may include Jalebi, Kaju Katli and Burfi
Brother in return gives her a present (usually money although saari’s or other clothing are optional as well), promises to protect and support his sister through good and bad times
This is a physical acknowledgement of her love to him and his devotion to her

10. Mantra Chants By Sister During the Ceremony
This is the mantra chanted throughout the ceremony: Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej
Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee",

Which means: "The sun radiates its sunlight, the radish spreads its seeds, 
I tie the rakhi to you O brother and wish that may you live long. "Once the rakhi has been tied onto the brother, the sister then chants: "Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah
tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala" 

This means," I tie you the rakhi that was tied to king Bali, the king of Demons, 
O Rakhi I pray that you never falter in protecting your devotee.

11. Preparation for Raksha Bandhan
Rakhi’s and traditional candies prepared long before the Shravana Purnima
On the day of celebration, family members wake up early and take a bath, cleansing their minds and bodies
After the pooja thali is prepared, the ceremony takes place

12. Dressing for Raksha Bandhan
Historical significance displayed in traditional dress code that most Hindu’s observe on the day of the celebrations
Usually , traditional articles are worn but it is more common and accepted to now follow the current fashion trends.
Men wear kurta, a long sleeved loose fitting shirt which goes down to the knees
Women usually wear a sarior a shalwar kameez, a tunic like Indian dress that is commonly decorated with intricate patterns
Bright happy colors such as red, orange, coral and yellow are chosen both by men and women to wear throughout the day’s ceremonies

13. Food eaten during Raksha Bandhan
Ghewar,Simosas, Shakarpare and Namakpare are made on Raksha Bandhan
Main sweet used is Ghewar
Ghugni is prepared , which is eaten with curd and puri
Halwa , Kheer and Puri are also favoured dishes during Raksha Bandhan
Sweets such as chocolate are now more common common used when the sister feeds the brother

14. Bibliography http://www.raksha-bandhan.com/