Raksha Bandhan

At Raksha Bandhan Hindu’s celebrate the love between siblings. The festival symbolises the love between siblings but is also celebrated between cousins, nieces, nephews and in laws. It is also know as Rakhi or Rakshabandhan.

Who celebrates?

Hindus and Jains around the world.

How do people celebrate?

• Sisters tie a rakhi wrist band around their brothers’ wrists to protect them against evil and pray for their care, happiness and a prosperous life
• More recently, some friends also tie rahki to each other
• Brothers promise to protect their sisters from harm and offer gifts
• Some people will also observe traditional ceremonies chanting mantras.

What should I know?

• Not all Hindus will celebrate Raksha Bandhan
• It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar so the date changes annually
• Some Sikhs may also celebrate the festival but it is know as Rakhardi or Rakhari in Sikhism
• In the 2011 census, 1.5% of of the UK population identified as Hindus and 0.8% of the population identified as Sikhs.

How can I support others?

• Ask people if they or their families will be celebrating
• Do not assume that if someone’s family is Hindu that they will be celebrating
• Encourage celebrations internally and externally
• Talk to your team about the religious representation internally and externally and if it’s representative of your area.

BBC: About Raksha Bandhan: https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/raksha.shtml

Raksha Bandhan History Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfS9rKRCDyc

BBC: About Rakhi: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4bSQBKXs3SKR9BzK3R0H8f0/how-this-bracelet-shows-the-importance-of-sibling-bonds