[GHHF] Raksha Bandan Program was organized through Bala Samskar Kendras where tying Raksha to symbolize protection in Shamshabad, Hyderabad, Telangana State.   

11 Aug 2022 841 Views

Utsava means ‘pleasure.’ Whenever some function takes place to express happiness, it is called utsava. Utsava, the expression of complete happiness, is always present in the Vaikunthalokas, the abode of the Lord.” Bhagavat Purana
Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) in association with Nitya Satyam has been organizing Ghar Waapasi in the Telangana area. Lakshmi Nivas and his volunteers went to many villages and talked about the richness of our culture knowing that they became Christians not because of the message of the Bible but because of their financial circumstances, health-related issues, deceptive interpretation of Hindu scriptures and demeaning the multiplicity of Gods and Goddesses
Raksha Bandan Program was Conducted in Shamshabad in Hyderabad Celebrating Rakhi: What is it about & how is it celebrated?
Our Pracharak Sri Lakshmi Nivas organized Raksha Bandhan festival and explained the number of stories behind the origin and the significance of Rakhi. On Sharavana Purnima which falls on August 11 in 2022 Raksha Bandan program was organized.  Raksha Bandhan is one of the most important Hindu festivals that celebrate the sacred relationship of siblings   The sister ties the sacred thread of rakhi on her brother's wrist and wishes for his happiness and good life. In return, the brother gives his blessing and promises to protect his sister through thick and thin. 
Number of stories are associated with Raksha Bandan. Many newspapers and scholars explained the following stories about the origins and the customs over a period of time.
1) This festival has a connection with Mahabharata. Lord Krishan himself narrated this story to Yudhishtara at his request. A war broke out between Demons and Gods that lasted for more than 12 years. The demons defeated Lord Indra,  the King of Gods. Demon Daitya commanded people not to conduct any rituals to any God and they should worship him only. Gods  sought the help of Brihaspati who suggested that he get Rakhi tied around his wrist while reciting Vedic mantras. His wife Indrani tied Rakhi on her husband’s wrist on the auspicious day of Shravana Purnima Day.  The demons fled from the battlefield and Indra became Victorious.
2. Yamuna tying a rakhi to her brother Yama
Yamuna, Yama's sister was sad when her brother didn't visit her for around 12 years. On a gentle reminder by Ganga, when Yama decided to visit his sister, she was so happy that she prepared a grand meal for him and tied a rakhi on his wrist. Yama, moved by his sister's love, blessed her with immortality.
3. Lord Krishna promising to protect Draupadi
According to the Mahabharata, one time when Lord Krishna was flying a kite, he cut his finger. Seeing this, Draupadi immediately tore a piece of cloth from her saree and tied it around his finger. Touched by her action, he promised to protect her. As we all know, he came through with that promise when her husbands lost in gambling in King Dhritrashtra’s court.
4. Goddess Laxmi tying the sacred thread to Lord Bali
According to Vishnu Purana, Bali, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, asked him for protection. Lord Vishnu accepted his request and stayed with him in disguise as a doorman. Back home Goddess Laxmi, his wife, missed him and went to Bali in disguise as a woman seeking shelter. When Bali opened his doors to her, she returned the favor by tying a colored cotton thread on his wrist for his protection. When Bali asked her what she wanted as a gift in return, Laxmi asked to grant leave to her husband, who now revealed his identity. As Laxmi was now his sister and he made the promise to grant her wish, he agreed.
5. The birth of Santoshi Ma
When Mansa was tying a Rakhi to her brother Ganesha, his sons Shubh & Labh also expressed a desire to celebrate the festival and asked their father for a sister. Lord Ganesh fulfilled their wish by creating a daughter from fire, and that is how Santoshi Ma came into existence.
6. Lord Krishna advises King Yudhishther to tie rakhi
Before the war of Kurukshetra, King Yudhishther was worried about his brothers, the Pandavas. He sought Lord Krishna for advice on how to protect all his brothers from the impending doom. Lord Krishna advised him to perform a ceremony, where on the full moon day of the month Shravana, a priest will tie a Rakhi around his right wrist for protection. 
Rabindranath Tagore started Rakhi Mohotsav in Bengal
During the Partition of Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore started Rakhi Mohotsav to strengthen the bond between Hindu & Muslims of Bengal. He encouraged them to support each other and protest against the Britishers together. Continuing that tradition, the people of West Bengal tie rakhi to their neighbors and close friends. It is a symbol of love, mutual respect, and brotherhood.
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the tradition of Raksha Bandhan started, but we can be sure of one thing - it is about the strong bond between the people observing the ceremony. Rakhi can be celebrated among siblings, partners, or even neighbors. Although, nowadays, we primarily celebrate it as the bond between siblings and their promise to protect and support each other. (Source: Bigsmall.in).
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For more information, call Prakasarao V Velagapudi ; Email: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com

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