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Raksha
Bandhan: (July/August)
Raksha
Bandhan is celebrated on the fifteenth day
(the full moon day) of Shravan, in July / August.
According
to a legend,In the days when gods warred with the demons, the
consort of Indra (the Puranic King of the Heavens) tied a rakhi (a
silken amulet) around his wrist, by virtue of which, it is said,
the god won back his celestial abode from his enemies.
Raksha
Bandhan is also celebrated in some parts of India as a festival to
honour the sea god Varuna, where coconuts are offered to the sea.
Since the coconut is also called as a “Nariyal”
, this day is also called as the “Nariyali Purnima”. For the
same reason some people also call this day as the “Coconut
Day”
Because
of its three eyes, the coconut represents the three eyes of Shiva.
As a mark of
auspiciousness,
coconuts are also broken at shrines and temples.
However,
at most places, it celebrates the love of a brother for his
sister. On this day, sisters tie rakhi on the wrists of their
brothers to protect them against evil influences. In some
places,
before tying the rakhi, barley saplings are placed on the ears of
the brother.
This
is also the day set apart for Brahmins to change their sacred
threadthey wear.
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