India will celebrate Raksha Bandhan on 28th August 2007. Raksha Bandhan is all about ‘bond of love and protection’. It is a festival of sacred bond between brother and sister where the sister ties a Rakhi or a sacred thread on the brother’s wrist, performs aarti and pray for the well being of their brothers and in return brothers gladly promises to protect their sisters when the need arises. Although, Rakhi is a bond of care and affection between brother and sister, but it goes way beyond it. It is not necessary that the rakhi can be given only to a brother by birth, any male can be adopted as a brother by tying a rakhi on the person whether they are cousins or a good friend.
As India is a land of diversified language, culture and people, Raksha Bandhan festival is celebrated in various forms and names in India.
Rakhi Purnima – North and North West India celebrates Rakhi Purnima with a lot of joy and excitement.
Avani Avittam or Upakarman – This form of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in southern part of India like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh and it is an important day for Brahmin community there. This day is known as Upakarman. On this day the Hindus wear a new holy thread. Changing of the thread symbolizes the people getting rid of all sins and making a new beginning.
Nariyal Purnima – This form of Rakhasha Bandhan is celebrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka. They offer nariyals or coconuts to the Sea God. This form of Rakhi signifies the starting of a new season and very important for those who are dependent on the sea for their living.
Kajari Purnima – In parts of Indian States like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhatisgarh, Rakshabandhan is celebrated in the form of Kajari Purnima. This day is an important occasion for the farmers and women. Rituals begin from Kajari Navami, five days before the full moon day.
Pavitropana – In parts of Gujarat, Rakshabandhan is celebrated as Pavitropana. People assemble in the temples of Lord Shiva and perform prayers. Threads of cotton and sometimes kasa grass, laced with products of cow, are tied around the three-eyed Shiva Linga.