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Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on August 19 this year. (Image: Shutterstock)
Before tying Rakhi to their brothers, sisters prepare a thali with rakhi and other valuables. Brothers vow to protect their sisters from harm on Raksha Bandhan.
Raksha Bandhan is one of the most auspicious festivals for the Hindus. This year, the festival will be celebrated with love and enthusiasm on August 19. Initially started as a festival to celebrate bonds and relations, it now signifies the pure bond between siblings. The festival, indeed, has evolved in remarkable ways over the years.
On this auspicious day every year, sisters tie rakhi to their brothers; and in exchange, brothers vow to protect them from all sorts of troubles throughout their lives. Before tying Rakhi to their brothers, sisters prepare a thali with rakhi and other valuables. Let’s take a look at what exactly the plate consists of.
Things to include in the Rakhi thali
- RakhiA must-include while decorating your thali for the festival is Rakhi. Before the ceremony, it is considered auspicious to keep the plate in your temple, offering it to Bal Gopal or the god you believe in.
- Tilak of KumkumYou must add some kumkum or tilak representing the goddess Lakshmi. Given its religious significance, this tilak is applied to the brother’s forehead, while tying the Rakhi to him and praying for his wealth and prosperity in the long run.
- AkshataA form of rice, specifically used for religious events, akshata is also applied to your brother’s forehead right after putting on kumkum. Instead of directly placing it on your plate, you can keep it in a small bowl to avoid a mess.
- SandalwoodSandalwood is a must when it comes to including things on your plate. Known for its soothing properties, sandalwood is also applied on the forehead to ensure that your brother receives the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Ganesha.
- DiyasLighting diyas is directly associated with positivity and auspicious occasions. One must keep a diya on the Rakhi plate, and perform the aarti of their brother. It is believed that the fire deity resides in a diya and performing aarti with diya may bring fortune to your brother’s life.
- SweetsWith any festival comes sweets, as no religious gathering is complete without delectable dishes. Once sisters are done with the tilak and rakhi ceremony, they are supposed to feed sweets to the brother on this day, ensuring that the relationship between the two stays strong forever.
