Rakhi Celebrations

India is the only country where the love of a brother-sister duo is respected so much that a festival, called Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan, is especially dedicated to it. Rakhi is celebrated with a lot of fun and frolic in India. Besides tying Rakhis on the brother's hand, gift exchange, relishing tempting and mouth watering sweets, lots of other elements are also a part of the festivities. These acts make the Rakhi festival all the more interesting and one is always looking forward for this day to arrive. Let us know all about Rakhi celebrations in India.

Rakhi Celebrations In India

Mehendi
Ladies in India have always been fond of putting Mehendi on their hands. However, on the festival of Rakhi, the tradition has special importance. On the day, women decorate each others' palms with different styles of mehendi, such as Marwadi, Shekhawati or Mumbaiya style. As married women apply mehndi on Karwa Chauth, unmarried girls apply mehndi on the occasion of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan. In fact, mehendi has now also become a part of the Rakhi festival.

Traditional Dressing
On the auspicious day of Rakhi, guys usually prefer to go for traditional outfits like kurta-pajamas. At times, they wear formal outfits as well, like shirt with trousers or shirt with jeans, depending on their choice. On the other hand, sisters, if married, mostly love to tie designer saris, with light or heavy work. The unmarried sisters go for salwar-kurta, chudidaar-kurta, saree, lehengas, and other traditional apparels.

Cards
In modern times, when a large number of brothers and sisters stay away from each other, due to their educational, job or married life responsibilities, they send Rakhi cards to each other. They express their feelings towards each other with the help of these cards, available in the market. The sisters, who are not able to reach their brothers on this auspicious day, send the Rakhi for their brothers through postal or courier services.

Markets
On the festive occasion of Rakhi, the markets are decorated profusely. Wide variety of colorful and beautiful fancy and designer rakhis is available in the market. These are made of resham or zari threads and decorated with different items, like beads, semi-precious stones or imitation jewelry. Sometimes, these rakhis are also decorated with silver and gold. The price of rakhis varies according to the materials used in making them. However, one thing remains the same in every rakhi, the love and blessings of the sister for her brother.