Every year, sometime between the end of monsoon and the beginning of festive chaos, there comes one special day when sisters suddenly start acting very sweet and brothers become unusually alert that’s Raksha Bandhan. The atmosphere in Indian households changes magically. Mornings start with the sound of aarti thalis clinking, the smell of homemade sweets wafting through the air, and sisters reminding everyone in the house, “Mujhe sabse pehle rakhi bandhani hai! like it’s a matter of national pride.
KUCH MASTI KA MAHAUL
But behind all the teasing and laughter lies a story centuries old, an emotion timeless and universal. It’s not just about the thread tied on the wrist, but the countless invisible threads woven through years of shared mischief, unspoken support, and endless memories. Take any sibling, ask them about Raksha Bandhan, and their face will light up with a mixture of nostalgia and sarcasm like the time the sister threatened to not tie rakhi unless she got that fancy chocolate box, or the brother who secretly reused last year’s gift and still managed to look innocent. But even then, both showed up year after year as if pulled by an invisible bond. Growing up, Raksha Bandhan was the one day sisters got to be queens walking around with plates full of roli, rice, sweets, and demands. Brothers, no matter how cool or rebellious during the rest of the year, suddenly turned polite, often faking a smile while hiding their wallets. And yet, in that silly tug of war over gifts and rituals, something very real happened a bond was acknowledged. It’s not always a perfect relationship. Siblings fight like it's a sport, over TV remotes, phone chargers, or who ate the last gulab jamun. But on Raksha Bandhan, there’s a pause. A moment to look beyond the fights and remember the shared journey the bus rides to school, the broken toys, the secret covers during scoldings, and the way one always stood up when the other was in trouble. The beauty of Raksha Bandhan lies in its simplicity and its strength. It doesn’t demand grand gestures. A small thread, a short prayer, and a heartfelt smile are enough to carry the weight of promises that last a lifetime. And it’s not just limited to brothers and sisters by blood. Over the years, we’ve seen girls tying rakhis to soldiers, sisters to sisters, friends becoming family because this bond is about love, not labels. One of the most touching legends behind this festival is that of Lord Krishna and Draupadi. When Krishna hurt his finger, Draupadi tore her saree without hesitation to bandage it. In return, Krishna vowed lifelong protection not out of obligation, but out of love and respect. And when the world tried to shame her, it was Krishna’s promise that saved her dignity. That’s Raksha Bandhan a thread that doesn’t just ask for protection but reflects trust, faith, and connection. Today, even with rakhis being ordered online, Zoom calls replacing in-person rituals, and brothers pretending to be “too busy” while secretly waiting for that rakhi, the emotion remains untouched. The sister still prays quietly after tying the rakhi, and the brother, whether he admits it or not, walks a little taller, feeling a little more responsible. Raksha Bandhan, in its true essence, is a gentle reminder that no matter how far we move, how grown up we become, there will always be that one person who remembers you with your messy hair and missing teeth and still loves you. It’s a celebration of being seen, loved, and tied together with the purest intentions. So this year, when the rakhi is tied and the sweets are passed around, take a second to laugh at the old fights, poke fun at the cheap gifts, and maybe hug a little tighter because these moments, wrapped in thread and memories, are what make life beautifully imperfect.