Rakhi 2010 is just round the corner. But how to know when is Raksha Bandhan? In modern times and in everyday life we have become accustomed to the English calendar system. However, our traditional and religious occasions follow the time-honored Indian systems of time calculation. According to the Indian calendar, Rakhi falls on Shravan Poornima, or the full moon day of the month of Shravan, the prime month of Indian monsoons. The date shifts almost every year in the English calendar, for the English calendar does not follow the lunar month as Indian and traditional oriental systems do.
Rakhi 2010 falls on 24 August according to the English or Roman calendar. It is interesting to note that the full-moon night of the Shravan month has always been considered sacred in Indian traditions and there are several other traditional festivals that coincide with or are celebrated in proximity with the festival of Rakhi. Rakhi, or Raksha Bandhan is primarily popular in Northern India and associated with both ancient culture as well as Vaishnavite traditions. In the central part of India, festivals like the Pavitropana and Kajri Purnima are also celebrated along with Raksha Bandhan. In most of Western India, Shravan Poornima is celebrated as Nariyal Purnima meant for praising the auspicious coconut. In Southern India Shravan Purnima is celebrated as Avani Avittam the most auspicious day for the Upakramana or second-birth ritual for a Brahmin.
Rakhi 2010 is the day for celebrating love between brothers and sisters who either are born as siblings, or have blood relations by birth, or have socially recognized each other as brother and sister. During Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie the Rakhi on the wrists of their brothers to protect them against all evil and wish them long life. On Rakhi 2010, brothers and sisters across the world who follow the Indian tradition will offer gifts and sweets to each other to express their bond and affection.
