Festival and celebrations

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Raksha Bandhan, the revered Hindu festival honoring the bond between brothers and sisters, will fall on Saturday, August 9, 2025, coinciding with the full moon day (Shravan Purnima) in the sacred Shravana month. Sisters across India will tie rakhis—symbolic threads of protection—around their brothers’ wrists, and brothers will reciprocate their affection with promises of support and gifts .

According to Drik Panchang, the full moon Tithi for Raksha Bandhan commences at 2:12 PM on August 8 and concludes at 1:24 PM on August 9 . Importantly, the inauspicious Bhadra period, which begins August 8 at 2:12 PM and lasts until August 9 at 1:52 AM, will end well before morning, allowing sisters to tie rakhis after 05:35–05:47 AM and before 1:24 PM.

Precise lunar-geared timing is vital for this sacred thread ceremony, reinforcing the ritual’s sanctity. Celebrants often begin the day early—taking purificatory baths, cleansing home shrines, and organizing a ceremonial thali with diya, roli, rice, sweets, and the rakhi .

The festival’s profound mythology includes Krishna and Draupadi, where Draupadi’s gesture of binding Krishna’s bleeding finger is revered as the moment that inspired the rakhi ritual . Another iconic legend features Rani Karnavati of Mewar, whose rakhi to Mughal emperor Humayun exemplified strategic alliance and trust—further embedding the festival within Indian cultural ethos .

While the anchor of sibling love rests at the heart of festivities, Raksha Bandhan transcends familial bonds. In many regions, the ritual is extended to distant relatives, friends, neighbours, soldiers, and civil servants—a gesture of social unity and goodwill . In West Bengal, the day is celebrated as Jhulan Purnima, centered around the divine love of Krishna and Radha . Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s Koli community unites the ritual with Narali Pournima, honoring sea safety.

The shubh muhurat (auspicious timing) for tying the rakhi holds tremendous significance. Across multiple panchang sources, the agreed time spans from approximately 05:35–05:47 AM to 1:24 PM . Notably, Mumbai-based Future Point extends the favorable hours slightly, while ABP Live suggests tying should conclude by 1:34 PM—well before the end of Purnima Tithi .

Culturally, the festival begins with the sister’s ritual dip and altar setup, followed by a ritualistic aarti and prayer for her brother’s well-being. Lipstick or turmeric tilak marks his forehead before the rakhi is tied. Brothers then offer sweets and gifts—often clothes, cash, or tokens of love .

As India prepares for Raksha Bandhan 2025, families are finalizing preparations—Rakhi threads ready, thalis arranged, and schedules aligned to the muhurat. It remains one of the most emotionally profound observances in the Hindu calendar, celebrating familial duty, sincerity, and cultural solidarity .

Raksha Bandhan 2025 will be celebrated on Saturday, August 9. The auspicious window for tying rakhis is from early morning through early afternoon, after the inauspicious Bhadra period has passed. Rooted in mythology and evolving into a broader symbol of social connection, this festival continues to unite hearts across India.