In the past, Raksha Bandhan was mainly celebrated in North India. Today, the ritual gets celebrated almost in all parts of India. The simple threads of Rakhi symbolize the sacred bonding of love between brother and sister. 'Raksha' stands for protection and 'Bandhan' stands for ‘bonding'. There are several reasons for celebrating Raksha Bandhan and it becomes a mixture between both religion and social custom.
Raksha Bandhan Celebration - This ritual is observed in most areas of India.
Kajari – In North India, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Kajari Purnima. This festival is celebrated when barley and wheat are sown in this area. Farmers worshipped Goddess Bhagwati for her blessings for good crop.
Nariyal Purnima – Various regions have different beliefs. From the Western Ghats region, Rakhi is regarded as an offering to Lord Varuna - the Lord of this sea. On this day, Lord Varuna is offers Coconuts, by throwing the coconuts into the Sea as a ritual. Here, the festival of Rakhi is popularly Called Nariyal Purnima, which also marks the start of the fishing season.
Avani Avittam – In South India, Raksha Bandhan is known as Avani Avittam. During this festival the Brahmins used to take a holy bath and change their sacred thread (Janeyu) while chanting the mantras. The Janeyu is a representation of this vow for adherence to vedic civilization, observance of Hindu customs and service to humankind. The ceremony is known as Shravani or Rishi Tarpan. All Brahmans celebrate it in precisely the identical way.
Pavitropana – In a ceremony called Pavitropana, a couple of twisted filaments of cotton are soaked in panchagavya, which is mix of cow's ghee, milk, curd, gow-mutra(Urine) and gobar(excreta) and then secured around a Shivalinga. In Gujarat people offer water to the Lord Shiva on Rakhi Purnima and pray to God for forgiveness.
