"Raksha" is the word for protection and "Bandhan" is the bond - signifies the bond of protection.The protection is from the dark hands of the evils and against all perils.

The origin of Raksha Bandhan is not really known but there are a couple of popular legends.

On the day of Raksha Bandhan, there is excitement  amongst young girls and women. Though customs and rituals associated with Raksha Bandhan differ from region to region but the celebration of the holy brother-sister nexus catches the same mood and gaiety and fervour in every Indian home. Rakhis are made or bought a day before the festival. Traditional goodies and dishes are prepared early in the morning. After an early bath, the sister invites her brother to wear the rakhi. She applies 'tilak' or vermilion powder on his forehead and ties the rakhi on his hand. It is then preceded by her performing 'aarthi' and offers her brother some sweets. By tying the rakhi, she signifies her loving attachment to her brother. The brother,  likewise, recognises the special bond between them and by extending his wrist forward, he is in fact extending his hand of protection 'Raksha' towards her. All this comes to the accompaniment of her enunciation or chanting of a Mantra which is as follows:

Yena baddho balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah;
Tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshey maa chala maa chala.

"I am tying on your hand this Raksha, with which the most powerful and generous King Bali himself was bound; O Raksha, don’t go away; don’t go away."

The power of this Mantra protects the wearer from all evil influences.

Raksha Bandhan has always been practised in North India, South India, Bombay, Bengal, Orissa, Gujarat and Rajasthan. However, it is known to be popular throughout India owing to the cosmopolitan milieu.

The origin and the legends

There is a legend that goes that there was a fierce battle between the Gods and the demons in which the demons seemed to be in a favorable position. Indra, the king of gods, became anxious and asked Bruhaspathi to suggest a way out. Meanwhile, Indrani (wife of Indra) who was around at the time of consultation, spoke her mind even before Bruhaspati could strike upon an idea. She assured them of turning the tables in the gods' favor. Next day was the Sravan Poornima. She consulted some old scriptures and prepared a talisman which she tied to her husband's wrist. Indra went to the battle field again and the enemies who had seemed so powerful, now beat a quick retreat and the gods were victorious.

According to another popular story, the queen of Mewar, Maharani Karmavati, had to face the threat of Governor Bahadur Shah who laid seige on her kingdom. Unable to fight the army, she sent a rakhi to the Mughal king, Humayun. The Muslim Emperor who under normal circumstances would not have preferred to help a Hindu ruler, decided to protect her from the threat. Humayun reached Mewar at the nick of time when the queen was preparing for self- immolation. He chased Bahadur Shah and his men and restored the kingdom back to the queen of Mewar.

A story is told of Alexander's wife approaching his mighty Hindu adversary Porus and tying Raakhi on his hand, seeking assurance from him for saving the life of her husband on the battlefield. And the great Hindu king, in the true traditional Kshatriya (those who belonged to the brave warrior class) style, responded; and as the legend goes, when Porus raised his hand to deliver a mortal blow to Alexander, he saw the Raakhi on his own hand and restrained from striking.

South India

This festival is called Avani Avittam in South India. This falls on the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August-September). It is an important Hindu festival. Hindus wear a new holy thread and offer libations of water to the ancient Rishis on this day. Recitation of the Vedas on this great day is highly beneficial. This festival is also known as Upakarmam, and is specially sacred to the Brahmins, who have been invested with the sacred thread. When a Brahmin boy is invested with this thread, symbolically his third eye, or the eye of wisdom, is opened. The holy festival of Upakarmam reminds one who wears the sacred thread of its glorious spiritual significance. Brahmins also offer libations of water to their ancestors, to whom they owe their birth; to the great Rishis, to whom they are highly indebted for their spiritual knowledge; and to the Vedas themselves.

Bombay

This festival is also called Narali Purnima and is used as an occasion for offering coconuts to the sea. On the full moon day of Shravan, after one or two months of heavy rains and strong winds, the sea becomes calm. On this day boats are allowed to launch into the sea again. But before doing so the sea is worshipped by throwing a coconut (“naral”) into the water. In this way Varun, the god of the water, is worshipped.   The coconut is a fruit full of symbolism. It is known as “Shriphal”, or “divine fruit”. Within its hard shell it contains food and drink, the two essential elements God has placed in creation for man’s nourishment. The hard shell expresses God’s desire that man should enjoy the fruits of the earth through personal effort.  It is the most common fruit used as an offering to God. The effort needed to break the shell represents the element of sacrifice. The kernel and the water are first offered to God and then shared with all those present, and also taken home to be shared with relatives and neighbours as “prasad”, or food blessed by God.

According to ancient traditions, it is customary to have protection threads that are charged with sacred verses (Mantras) and sanctified with rice, durva grass etc.; to have these tied by people who know the Vedas or by near and dear ones. This protection thread saves from sins on the one hand and removes diseases on the other hand. By tying this thread, protection is afforded for a full one year and all kinds of fears are removed.

Nowadays Rakhis are decorated with soft silky threads of various colours, and also with ornaments, pictures, gold and silver threads etc. These Rakhis enhance the artistry of the people. Within these Rakhis reside sacred feelings and well wishes. It is also a great sacred verse of unity. Acting as a symbol of life's advancement and a leading messenger of togetherness.

So, enjoy this auspicious occasion of togetherness, brotherhood, peace and harmony.