Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the most awaited Hindu festival commemorates the bond of love between a brother and sister.  this day literally translates to the 'bond of protection.' To celebrate this festival, brothers and sisters meet and exchange wishes. Sisters then tie a rakhi on their brothers' wrists, and an exchange of gifts usually takes place. It is a day when siblings pray for each others' well being and wish for each others' togetherness with lots of happiness and goodwill. The significance of Raksha Bandhan festival is huge in our country and is celebrated no lesser than any other festival. It is dedicated to the love of a sister and her brother holding immense importance in relationship. The name of the festival, Raksha Bandhan is made up of two words, Raksha (Protection) and Bandhan (Relation). this particular festival encompasses the warmth shared between the siblings 

Fancy and beautiful Rakhis are made and delicious sweets are prepared long before the Shravana Purnima. According to the Indian tradition, the family members get ready for the rituals early in the morning. Sisters prepare the puja thali which consists of roli, tilak, Rakhi threads, rice grains, aggarbattis (incense sticks), diyas and sweets. 

After offering the rituals to the deities of the family, the sister perform aarti of their brothers and ties Rakhi on their wrist put kumkum tika on the forehead of their brother and offer sweets. Then the brother in return pampers  their sister by giving them special gifts, acknowledging their unconditional love. The bless her with a promise to protect them from all evils of the world. The rituals performed on this occasion might differ from place to place but they carry the same enthusiastic aura throughout the globe.   

In Maharashtra, the festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated along with Narali Poornima (coconut day festival). Kolis are the fishermen community of the coastal state. The fishermen offer prayers to Lord Varuna, the Hindu god of Sea, to invoke his blessings. As part of the rituals, coconuts were thrown into the sea as offerings to Lord Varuna. The girls and women tie rakhi on their brother's wrist, as elsewhere.

In Haryana, in addition to celebrating Raksha Bandhan, people observe the festival of Salono. Salono is celebrated by priests solemnly tying amulets against evil on people's wrists. As elsewhere, sisters tie threads on brothers with prayers for their well being, and the brothers give her gifts promising to safeguard her.

Happy Raksha Bandhan, everyone!

 This is an Excellent piece of advice for any one who are feeling low and down or depressed today.   

" In order to Divorce yourself from unhappiness, Always keep the treasurers of happiness with you " 
  
Way To Happiness. 
  

This story is about a beautiful, expensively dressed lady who complained to her psychiatrist that she felt that her whole life was empty, it had no meaning. 

  

So, the lady went to visit a counselor to seek out happiness.  The counselor called over the old lady who cleaned the office floors.  The counselor then said to the rich lady "I'm going to ask  Mary here to tell you how she found happiness. All I want you to do is listen to her." 

  

So the old lady put down her broom and sat on a chair and told her story: "Well, my husband died of malaria and three months later  my only son was killed by a car.  I had nobody... I had nothing left.  I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, I never smiled at anyone, I even thought of taking my own life. Then one evening a little kitten followed me home from work.  Somehow I felt sorry for that kitten. It was cold outside, so I decided to let the kitten in. I got it some milk, and the kitten licked the plate clean.  Then it purred and rubbed against my leg and, for the first time in months, I smiled. Then I stopped to think, if helping a little kitten could make me smile, maybe doing something for people could make me happy. So the next day I baked some biscuits and took them to a neighbour who was sick in bed. Every day I tried to do something nice for someone. It made me so happy to see them happy. Today, I don't know of anybody who sleeps and eats better than I do. I've found happiness, by giving it to others." When she heard that the rich lady cried. She had everything that money could buy, but she had lost the things  which money cannot buy. 

"The beauty of life does not depend on how happy you are; But on how happy others can be because of you..." 

  
Happiness is not a destination, 
It's a journey. 
Happiness is not tomorrow, 
It is now. 
Happiness is not a dependency, 
It is a decision. 
Happiness is what you are, 
Not what you have. 
  


May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door! 
  
Wishing Your Days Be Filled With Happiness, Peace And Good Health.