Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi)

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a Hindu sister's day when brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affections. Sisters tie colourful threads or rakhis on their brother's wrists. The brothers in turn promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts. If a girl who is a total stranger ties this chord on the wrist of a young man, from then onwards the two regard each other as brother and sister. 

On the day of Rakshabandhan, the girls take the rakhi which is attached to the strip of a cardboard and put in on top of a thali full of sweets. Traditionally sisters, Covering their head with dupatta, sits in front of her brother, dabs his forehead with vermilion, saffron and rice powder, takes the colourful rakhi and ties it to his wrist she will then take a piece of some sweet meat and playfully stuff it in her brother's mouth. He, in his turn, as a mark of his affection places some money on the thali. All that day, till the evening the brother will keep the rakhi on his wrist. It is also customary to fry poories and cook vermicelli pudding on this occasion.

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in different forms in different areas mostly in North India, and is also known by names such as rakhi, rakhri and saluno.

Sravani, an ancient Vedic festival traditionally associated with the Brahmins, on which day they change their sacred thread, is also celebrated on this day. Both Raksha Bandhan and Sravani are celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan (August).