Sister ties rakhi on brother. Bond of protection.
Raksha Bandhan, which means "the bond of protection", celebrates the love between brothers and sisters. On this day the sister ties a sacred thread, the rakhi, around her brother’s wrist, applies a tilak on his forehead and prays for his long life. In return the brother gives a gift and makes a lifelong promise to protect and stand by her. The festival falls on the full moon of Shravan, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu year.
The tradition is woven through history and legend, from the bond between Krishna and Draupadi to queens who sent a rakhi to seek protection. Today the spirit is the same. Families gather, sisters perform aarti and tie the rakhi, sweets are shared, and the simple thread becomes a symbol of love, duty and the unbreakable bond between siblings, even across great distances.
Tradition holds that the rakhi should never be tied during Bhadra, an inauspicious period that often falls on the morning of Raksha Bandhan. Tying the rakhi after Bhadra ends, usually in the Aparahna (afternoon), is considered the most auspicious. The exact Bhadra window and the clean muhurat shift slightly by city and year, so always check the Panchang for the day before you tie the rakhi. For 28 August 2026, see the full Panchang for the precise Bhadra end time and the recommended muhurat for your city.
Raksha Bandhan 2026 is on Friday, 28 August 2026, the full moon (Purnima) of Shravan month.
The rakhi should be tied after the Bhadra period ends, with the afternoon (Aparahna) considered most auspicious. The exact muhurat varies by city, so check the 28 August Panchang for the precise auspicious time for your location.
Bhadra is a period considered inauspicious for auspicious work in Hindu tradition. Scriptures advise against tying the rakhi during Bhadra, so families wait until it ends before beginning the ceremony.
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. The rakhi is a symbol of the sister’s love and prayers, and the brother’s vow to protect and support her throughout life.