My entire family's heartiest greetings to all of you on the twin occassions of 'Onam' (August 27) and "Rakhi" (August28).

While Rakhi, Onam & 'Avani-Avittam' (a holy day for Brahmins for the annual renewal of Sacred Thread and Resolution) would be celebrated on the same day, owing to slight varations of almanacs (reckoning of the phase of Full Moon), this year Onam will be celebrated one day earlier.

The origin of Rakhi festival is attributed to many mythological and historical incidents. While all of you would have read enough of Rakhi, it is out of sheer human weekness for self presentation I am furnishing the following information.

Who Tied the First Rakhi?

Rakhi in Mythology

Indra and Sachi:

Draupadi and Krishna:

Rakhi in History (earlier)

Porus and Alexandar's wife:

History has it that the great Hindu King Porus refrained from having a war with Alexander, the Great. This was because Alexandar's wife had approached King Porus and tied a Rakhi on his hand, prior to the battle, requesting him not to hurt her husband.

Humayun and Queen Karmavati:

Rakhi in History (Recent)

Unity of thought and action, which foreshadowed the Nobel Laureate Poet in his writing before the turn of the century, became real during the tragic partition of Bengal, by the British authorities, in the year 1905 which was vehemently opposed by the Hindu and Muslim Zamindars and common people of Bengal. In order to create a real sense of brotherhood among the people, he suggested the use of "Rakhi Bandhan," the tying of the ancient ochre-colored thread round the wrist. This simple ceremony spread everywhere, and the poor and the rich joined together (regardless of caste and religion), not only in their hearts but in the stoppage of all work, as a protest against authority.

At this Rakhi Utsav day, after a dip in the Ganges, the people tied coloured threads on one another's wrists, [RabindranathTagore received the rakhi (bracelet) from his aging older sister Barnakumari], and wrote the famous song also composed a song expressing the unity of Bengal and of the Bengalis and of their culture, hopes and aspirations. It was sung that day all over Kolkata and throughout Bengal. Here are a few lines from that famous song:

[Translation by Dr. Sisir Kumar Ghosh]

This full moon day our hearts are in brim
Feeling of faith and serenity in mind.
We light the lamps and our hears glow
Radiance of happiness and peace are in flow.
Harmonious homes are like streams of joy
Flowing and flourishing the landscape en route.
Nobility in heart and character in deed
Righteous homes alone make a beautiful State.
Sisters will tie the thread on the brothers
Abiding them to do only what is right and clean.
Put the Kumkum and blessed rice on the head
Where will dwell right thoughts and noble action

I wish to conclude with the timeless Vedic Incovocatio:

YOUR FEEDBACK