On the holiday of Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi), brothers and sisters across India celebrate their love and respect for one another. Traditionally, a sisters will tie rakhi (sacred thread bracelets) around the wrist of her brother, which symbolizes her love for him and wish for his wellbeing. The thread also acts as a symbol of the brother’s love and his wish to protect his sibling from harm. The gathering is a festive occasion in the Hindu tradition, but is also celebrated by those of many other backgrounds. The bond between siblings can honor a literal family relation, or it can be between any two people who treasure each other as brother and sister. Like many Indian festivals, there is no shortage of festive singing, dancing, and eating sweets.
This year, Sadanand Biswas, Regional Coordinator for the North Zone of India, celebrated Raksha Bandhan by visiting an orphanage in Jahangir Puri, New Delhi, to distribute sweets to the children. This was especially meaningful because the holiday celebrates family togetherness, which can be a bittersweet time for those in the orphanage.
