Rakshabandhan - The Thread Of Love

This is a guest post by Abhay Kanwar.

“A sister is a friend and a defender, a listener, conspirator, a counselor and a sharer of delights as well as sorrows.”
I received a phone call from my mother, reminding me that Rakhi was just around the corner and I better buy my elder sister a gift in advance as she wasn’t going to help me buy one this year. Ever since I was a little kid, I remember the festival of Rakhi as being one of the many festivals our family celebrated every year. This year this festival falls on 21st August.

I have always been very close to my sister. There was a time when we couldn’t stand next to each other without pulling the other persons hair out. I pulled her pigtails and she complained to our parents that I was not studying before my exams. Yes, like all siblings we used to fight a lot. Maybe it was a phase, but the truth is that I loved fighting with her. I have a lot of memories with my sister and all of them holding a very special place in my life. One time, on a fine Sunday afternoon; we took sleeping bags and pillows, putting them on top of the steps and "bobsled" down the stairs along with my sister. Thank god nobody was hurt. Then I remember the time our parents weren't home. My sister and I got pizza and we were eating it at the kitchen table. We started a pizza fight and it got ALL over! Boy did we clean that up fast! And most of the times, when our parents caught us, my sis had to face the brunt of it all, being the elder one. There are just way too many other things I remember, but it wouldn’t be possible to list them all.

But all of it changed when she went off for college to an entirely different city. I missed her like hell and used to look forward to the summer months, when she would come back home. Over the years my sister has been my advisor, my friend and even a parent (when the situation called for). I know I can always count on her to point me in the right direction and even to give me a piece of her mind when I screw up. The bond between a brother and a sister is a special one. In spite of the childhood fights and arguments or the many trials of adulthood, the love and loyalty that we as siblings share survives.

The popular practice of Raksha Bandhan has its historical associations also. The Rajput queens practiced the custom of sending Rakhi threads to neighbouring rulers as token of brotherhood. The most important part of the ceremony involves the tying of a Rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother's wrist. This thread symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's vow to protect his sister. The festival grew in popularity in the 15th Century, when When Rani Karnavati, the widowed queen of the king of Chittor, realised that she could not defend her kingdom against the invasion by the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a Rakhi to Emperor Humayun. Touched by this gesture, the Emperor immediately set off with his troops to defend Chittor.

Sometimes one might feel that you and you sibling are two side of the same coin, but the bond between a brother and a sister doesn’t wane but only gets stronger with time. Our siblings share with us a lifetime worth of memories and stories, which certainly are priceless and become more valuable as time moves on.

Celebrate this Rakshabandhan with FlowerAura. We provides the best Online Rakhi Combos. Send these to your beloved Brother on Same Day through our Express Delivery. You can also combine these Rakhi Combos with the Add Ons like Kaju Katli, Cadbury celebrations or Dry Fruits. All this and more with Free shipping this Rakhi.

More about the author - Abhay Kanwar

Rakhi

Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is an ancient Indian Festival celebrating the chaste bond of love between a brother and sister. The festival is marked by the tying of a holy thread or "Rakhi" by the sister on the her brother's right wrist, and praying for his long life. The brother in return offers gifts to the sister, sometimes in the form of money and promises to look after her, be with her through good and bad times.

The festival is celebrated with great excitement and cheer all over India mainly by Hindus, Sikhs and some Muslims. From early morning onwards everybody starts with the preparations. People usually prefers to wear traditional outfits like kurta pyjama by men and salwar kameez or sari by women. Exclusive dishes, sweets are prepared on the occasion and lavish meals are enjoyed by the whole family.

The holy thread is rightfully called Rakhi - "a bond of protection". The rakhis are ideally made from silk with metallic threads and other decorative material like semi precious stones. Nowadays many designer rakhis are available, also with separate cool kids rakhis. Also a not-so recent addition to the ritual is the tying of a 'lumba' by the sister on her bhabhi's (sister-in-law) wrist.

Over the years with the growing trend of nuclear families, this auspicious day marks a great significance especially in the modern Indian family. With brothers and sisters making a point to reach to each other on this day come what may, to keep the family harmony intact and to make their bond even stronger.

FlowerAura brings to you an exquisite range of Rakhis. Now on this Raksha bandhan, send rakhi to your brother and even in your absence make your presence felt. For people abroad, we at FlowerAura understand your emotions and feelings, so don't miss out and let us do the needful - send rakhi to India. Chose from our wide collection the perfect match for your dear bhaiya, check out our rakhi hampers and other amazing range of rakhi gifts. Specially for your convenience we are offering a special Express Delivery collection of rakhis and hampers.