Raksha Bandhan 2026

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on Shravana Pournami. On this day sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers' wrists and pray for their wellbeing, and brothers promise to protect them. In the Telugu states the same Pournami is also Jandhyala Pournami, when the sacred thread is renewed, so the day carries a double sanctity.

Stories Behind the Rakhi

A well-known story from the Bhavishya Purana tells how Indrani tied a protective thread on Indra's wrist before his battle with the asuras, and he returned victorious. Another popular tale says that when Sri Krishna's finger was cut, Draupadi tore a piece of her saree to bind it; Krishna later protected her honour in the Kaurava court. Some traditions also recall Goddess Lakshmi tying a raksha on King Bali to bring Lord Vishnu back to Vaikuntham. All these stories carry one message: a thread tied with love becomes a shield.

How to Celebrate

• Bathe in the morning, wear fresh clothes and keep a plate with rakhi, kumkuma, akshatalu, a lamp and sweets.
• The sister applies tilakam to the brother, does aarati and ties the rakhi on his right wrist.
• She offers a sweet, and the brother gives a gift and promises to stand by her.
• Many families first offer a rakhi to the family deity or to Sri Krishna or Hanuman.

Muhurtham and Customs

Many families avoid tying the rakhi during Bhadra kalam and choose a time when Pournami tithi prevails; the timings shown on this page help with that. Sisters who live far away often send rakhis by post, and in many homes cousins and close friends are treated as brothers too.

The Meaning Today

Raksha Bandhan is about mutual care. Today many sisters also promise to protect their brothers, and some tie rakhis to soldiers, police staff or trees as a pledge of protection.

May the bond of love between brothers and sisters grow stronger every year.