Raksha Bandhan History & Significance

Raksha Bandhan falls on the full moon of Shravana, and in 2026 it is Friday 28 August. A sister ties a rakhi — a decorative thread — around her brother's wrist, applies a tilak, and prays for his wellbeing; the brother gives a gift and a promise of protection. It is one of the strongest gifting occasions in the Indian calendar.

The day is observed by the same full moon under several other names. In Maharashtra and coastal Gujarat it is Narali Purnima, when the fishing community offers coconuts to the sea before the new fishing season begins — the monsoon ban on fishing lifts around this time. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala the same full moon is Avani Avittam or Upakarma, when Brahmins change their sacred thread. In Odisha it is Gamha Purnima, with a traditional bullock race.

Although the ritual is nominally between siblings, in practice it extends far. Rakhi is tied between cousins, neighbours, soldiers and citizens, and during the nationalist movement rakhi was used as a symbol of solidarity across communities. In many Indian schools and offices, rakhis are tied between friends of all genders.

The commercial significance is enormous: rakhi is sold in enormous volumes, and the day is one of the largest online gifting deadlines of the year, particularly for siblings living in different cities. Threads, sweets, chocolate boxes and, increasingly, digital rakhi and e-rakhi services all move in the week before.