rakhri | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 337 – Rakhri

“Brothers and sisters separated by distance, joined by love.”
Chuck Danes

Thanks Spidey, for a wonderful quote, apt for today, as it is Rakhri, or Raksha Bandhan, today.

This is a special day, celebrated in India, and by Indians worldwide. It is a day for brothers and sisters.

Raksha means to look after. Bandhan means bound together.

Traditionally, a sister ties a special thread around the wrist of her brother(s) and feeds them something sweet. A brother returns this with a small gift.

That special thread is filled with blessings and a promise to always be there for the brother, praying for his wellbeing at all times. The brother takes this duty seriously, and if a rakhi is tied on him, he vows to look after his sister, forever, too.

When I was younger, it was a wonderfully profitable day! I have many, many cousins, and it’s not just your brother you tie on, but anyone who is like a brother to you, so cousins, friends who are close enough to be brothers, etc. and they all gave a token, or money, as their little gesture, responding to the sacred thread tied on them.

It was always an exciting time amongst all us girls, and oen that the brothers loved, but dreaded, knowing they would be lighter in the pocket by the end of the day, especially if they had lots of sisters!

Obviously, there are a few changes to this nowadays. Sisters tie on sisters, too, because you don’t have to be a male, or a brother, to look after one another. And, it’s not about the money, or gifts, either. It is the thought behind that thread that is tied. The bond that shouldn’t ever break.

It’s always a bittersweet day for me, as, nowadays, rarely will I get the chance to be with my own brother, to tie his rakhi on him, personally. We faithfully post ours, me to him, Lil Princess to her two little brothers, out there, in Helsinki, and they get tied on our behalfs. They know we are there for them, with them, forever.

At least I get to see my own two, performing this age old ritual. Though, the promises are to look after each other, not just the brother looking after his sister! (And she still expects a little gift!)

So, what about you? Do you have a close bond with your siblings, if you have them?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Of Brothers and Sisters #RakshaBandhan #HappyRahkri #SundayBlogShare

Today is a pretty special day for us Indian sisters, blessed with brothers, and vice versa.
Today is a day brothers and sisters celebrate their special bond.
Initially, a Hindu festival called Raksha Bandhan, it then became more widely celebrated around India, and in the North, the Punjab, where my family hail from, it’s known as Rakhri or Rakhriya.

Rakhri is a word which means to look after, and on this day, sisters tie a special thread on their brother’s wrist, and brothers pledge to always be there and look after their sisters. Something sweet is then the exchanged, and usually, the brother gives his sister a small token to show his love.

Way back when, before all this women’s lib and equal rights, it was a woman’s job to be at home, and basically all her life was dependant on the males, be it her father, or husband, and she didn’t have many rights, so it stood to reason, that she needed someone, her brother, to be there for her, through thick and thin.

Nowadays there are all sorts of different enjoyments, and jokes attached. You see, it’s not only your brother that you tie one on, but your cousin brothers too. And male friends who you consider to be like brothers. So, if you don’t want a certain guy to bother you, then you tie a Rakhi on him and declare him your brother! Also, the brothers of today get bankrupt! Gifts are elaborate, for the real sisters, and add on all those cousins, handing out £10 notes (or more sometimes!), a brothers pocket is soon empty! Kerching!!! For the sisters anyway!
The threads themselves can range from small, plain, tasteful, to great big tinselled lovelies!

I spent a couple of hours last week writing letters to my brother and cousins, and for my Lil Princess, to her cousins, sending rakhis (tasteful ones, obviously!) to the four corners of the world, and for some special people who I consider brother like, there will be messages sent tomorrow. It’s not about the gifts or money for me. It’s keeping the connection alive. Like those who say days like Valentine’s Day are contrived, and that you should love your partner every day, I guess this could be the sibling equivalent. But for me, it’s just a special day to make it known again, that I love my brother, and cousins, and as much as I love and appreciate their protection, I have their backs too, I will be there for them, come rain or shine.
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This year, we may not be together, but our connection is just as strong. I know he will wear his rakhi with pride, and I also know that he is there for me always… Love you, my dear, dear brother!
And Lil Princess is so excited as her Rakhi has already winged its way over to her Finjabi cousin brothers, one who is celebrating his first rakhi too!

I will be tying a Rakhi on my brother-in-law, and Lil Princess will be able to enact the whole ceremony properly with Lil Man. Love days like today, they have to be nice to each other !!!! I know it’s only a few more years then they will really appreciate the sibling bond, but until then, one day of peace will be lovely!!!!!

So, to all those who celebrate, Happy Rakhri! Happy Raksha Bandhan!

And especially to my brother, my cousin brothers, and my special brotherly friends!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!