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रक्षा बंधन 2026
Date
Friday, 28 August 2026
शुक्रवार, 28 अगस्त 2026
In 96 daysRaksha Bandhan is the festival of the sister-brother bond, observed on Shravan Purnima. In 2026 it falls on Friday, August 28. The sister ties a sacred thread (rakhi) on her brother's wrist, prays for his long life and prosperity, and applies tilak. In return, the brother vows lifelong protection and gives a gift. The vidhi is short - 10-15 minutes - but the bond it renews is meant to outlast a lifetime.
रक्षा बंधन भाई-बहन के बंधन का पर्व है, श्रावण पूर्णिमा को। 2026 में शुक्रवार, 28 अगस्त को। बहन भाई की कलाई पर पवित्र धागा (राखी) बाँधती है, उसकी दीर्घायु और समृद्धि की प्रार्थना करती है, और तिलक लगाती है। बदले में भाई आजीवन रक्षा का वचन देता है और उपहार देता है। विधि छोटी है - 10-15 मिनट - पर बंधन जीवन भर का।
The puranic origin involves Goddess Lakshmi tying a rakhi on King Bali's wrist to free Vishnu, and Indra's wife Shachi tying a thread for Indra's protection in battle. The custom became universal after the medieval period when sisters and brothers - including across communities - exchanged rakhi as a mark of protection. The modern festival expands beyond biological siblings: cousins, family friends' kids, even cousin-brothers across cities all participate. The rakhi is the visible promise; the bond it renews is the invisible covenant.
पौराणिक मूल में देवी लक्ष्मी ने राजा बलि को राखी बाँधकर विष्णु को मुक्त किया, और इंद्र की पत्नी शची ने युद्ध में इंद्र की रक्षा हेतु धागा बाँधा। मध्यकाल के बाद यह सार्वभौमिक हुआ - समुदायों के पार भी बहन-भाई राखी बाँधते। आधुनिक पर्व जैविक भाई-बहनों से परे - चचेरे, पारिवारिक मित्रों के बच्चे, दूर के भाई - सब सम्मिलित। राखी दृश्य वचन है; बंधन अदृश्य प्रतिज्ञा।
Step by step
Wake before sunrise, bathe, wear clean traditional clothes. Sister prepares the thali: roli, akshat (rice + haldi), sweet (mithai), small ghee diya, and the rakhi.
सूर्योदय से पूर्व उठें, स्नान, स्वच्छ पारंपरिक वस्त्र। बहन थाली सजाए: रोली, अक्षत (चावल + हल्दी), मिठाई, छोटा घी दीप, राखी।
Check the muhurat - 2026 has Bhadra Kaal in the early morning. The safe tying window in Delhi is approximately 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM (afternoon onwards once Bhadra ends).
मुहूर्त जाँचें - 2026 में प्रातः भद्रा काल है। दिल्ली में सुरक्षित बंधन समय लगभग दोपहर 12 से शाम 6 बजे (भद्रा समाप्ति के बाद)।
Brother sits facing east on a low stool or floor. Sister stands in front. Light the diya, do small Ganesh prayer first.
भाई पूर्व मुख चौकी पर या फर्श पर बैठे। बहन सामने खड़ी हो। दीप जलाएँ, पहले छोटी गणेश प्रार्थना।
Apply tilak on the brother's forehead with roli, press akshat on top.
रोली से भाई के माथे पर तिलक लगाएँ, ऊपर अक्षत लगाएँ।
Tie the rakhi on the right wrist while chanting: 'Yena Baddho Bali Raja Daanvendro Mahabalah, Tena Twaam Abhibadhnaami Rakshe Maa Chala Maa Chala' (the original Lakshmi-to-Bali mantra).
दाहिनी कलाई पर राखी बाँधें मंत्र पढ़ते हुए: 'येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः। तेन त्वामभिबध्नामि रक्षे माचल माचल॥' (मूल लक्ष्मी-बलि मंत्र)।
Sister feeds the brother a sweet (first bite from her hand). Brother gives the sister a gift and a vow of protection. Both touch family elders' feet for blessings.
बहन भाई को मिठाई खिलाए (पहला कौर अपने हाथ से)। भाई बहन को उपहार और रक्षा का वचन। दोनों बुज़ुर्गों के चरण-स्पर्श।
Family meal together. The rakhi is worn for one full year, then immersed in flowing water or under a peepal tree.
साथ में पारिवारिक भोज। राखी एक वर्ष तक पहनी जाती है, फिर बहते जल या पीपल के नीचे विसर्जन।
Sacred sounds
येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः। तेन त्वामभिबध्नामि रक्षे माचल माचल॥
The Raksha Mantra. 'The thread that bound King Bali, the great demon-king - with that same thread I bind you, O Raksha, do not waver, do not waver.' The single mandatory mantra at rakhi tying.
रक्षा मंत्र। 'जिस धागे से दानवेन्द्र बली बँधे थे, उसी से तुम्हें बाँधती हूँ - रक्षे, माचल माचल।' राखी बाँधने का एकमात्र अनिवार्य मंत्र।
ॐ नमो नारायणाय
8-syllable Narayan Mantra - Shravan Purnima is Vishnu's day. Chant 108 times for the brother's protection.
8-अक्षरी नारायण मंत्र - श्रावण पूर्णिमा विष्णु की। भाई की रक्षा हेतु 108 बार।
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः
Mahalakshmi Mantra - since the festival originated with Lakshmi's act, invoking her on Raksha Bandhan brings prosperity to the family for the year.
महालक्ष्मी मंत्र - पर्व लक्ष्मी से उत्पन्न; आज जप वर्ष भर परिवार की समृद्धि लाता है।
FAQ
Raksha Bandhan 2026 falls on Friday, August 28. Bhadra Kaal in the morning (until approximately 1:30 PM in Delhi - varies by city) is considered inauspicious for tying rakhi. The safe window is from afternoon onwards, typically 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The most auspicious slot is Aparahna (mid-afternoon, around 2-4 PM).
Bhadra is a specific astrological window when Vishti Karana is active - traditionally considered inauspicious for mangalik karya, especially binding ceremonies (rakhi is a binding ritual). Tying rakhi in Bhadra is believed to bring the opposite of protection. Always check your local panchang for the day's Bhadra timing before scheduling.
Three options: (1) Send the rakhi via post/courier with a note - he ties it himself at the muhurat. (2) Do a virtual ceremony via video call - tie it symbolically on his image on screen. (3) Visit a temple together via video and have a priest perform a rakhi-style aarti for him. All three are valid and increasingly common.
Absolutely - the festival has always extended to cousins, family friends, neighbours' sons, even strangers in distress. The tradition explicitly includes brothers-in-spirit. In some communities, women tie rakhi on soldiers, doctors, or community leaders as a symbolic protection-pact.
Traditionally one full year - until the next Raksha Bandhan. The thread weakens naturally over months; replace with the new one next year. Some wear until the thread breaks naturally (whenever). Office workers often wear a thin discrete version under the shirt.
Traditional: cash (an odd amount like ₹501, ₹1101, ₹2101 - odd numbers are auspicious), gold or silver jewellery, saree, sweets. Modern: cash via UPI, branded jewellery, perfume, kitchen appliance, gift cards. The size matters less than the gesture - many brothers give a token amount + lifelong vow.
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