Raksha Bhandan!

RE: Raksha Bhandan!

Hi Trisha

Are you Hindu? It's so nice to have someone else posting on the Hinduism forum. I myself am a 'born again' Hindu - if such a thing is possible. (I am Christian by birth but have been spending a lot of time in India and am hugely drawn to Hindu rituals/temples/Gods etc.) Anyway I only know about Raksha Bhandan because a friend of mine is married to a girl from North India. In the South, where I spend most of my time, they don't seem to celebrate it quite so much and anyway I am always back in england at this time of year so I don't see it around.

So actually I don't have any suggestions for you; what kind of age group are you talking about by the way? Whereabouts in the country are you? Anyway, basically I just wanted to say 'namaskar'.

Hari Om.

Love
Sunanda xxx

RE: Raksha Bhandan!

Hi Sunanda,

ORIGINAL: sunanda
In the South, where I spend most of my time, they don't seem to celebrate it quite so much and anyway I am always back in england at this time of year so I don't see it around.

Oh, that's sad, as it's a nice ceremony.
Anyway, it doesn’t only have to be between sisters and brothers (I know that more recently it’s been used by young women to convert the undesired advances of the opposite sex to a more palatable and sibling-esque relationship.) But historically, it was even used to keep the relationships of the differing religions in north India between the Mugals, Hindus and Sikhs harmonious …and a Rakhi is even said to have saved the life of Alexander the Great!

So, in the tradition of a male and female connected in friendship (although I can’t look out for you and protect you from maruading Vikings or hellish demons lol) I think you and I could have a virtual Rakhi ceremony if you fancy it (of course)?
On that day, I will visualise and send you a prayer, some virtual money and a ladoo to eat, & and you can visualise tying that sacred thread on my wrist and placing a little food in my mouth (I’ll have ladoo too):)
& I will be happy. 😀

On a more serious note, you could tie one on your son’s wrist, it’s only a thread, but you could instill it with the vibes that it is supposed to carry… if it worked for Indra & Yudhishtra…who knows eh hun?
[sm=sandrine.gif]

Rgds,
roger

RE: Raksha Bhandan!

Hi Sunanda! yes i am a hindu. I'm from london. Glad to know you are interested in hinduism. I love learning about new religions-what they do and why they do it.

Age group varies from 6 to 28!! So it's a bit tricky! I know the older ones don't expect much from me seeing as i'm younger than them but it would be something nice to do!! Just want to show my appreciation for everything they do for me-which is a lot!

Do you travel to indian quite alot? Which parts have you been to?

RE: Raksha Bhandan!

Hi trisha

Why not invite them all for dinner? And then you can tie your rakhri's on them. Do you do the tilak and chokha on them before tying the rakhri?

My mum did Pusli yesterday as both my dad's sisters are here (one has come from Kenya). So i went for dinner at hers.

On a diff note, I went into my local Tesco's and was surprised (in a happy way) to see that they are selling rakhri's and the aarti trays as well - all reasonably priced. the rakhri's were lovely and thin strings (which all my brothers and cousins prefer).

Hope you have a lovely time whatever u do.

RE: Raksha Bhandan!

Namaskar!

Firstly, Trisha, have you visited the Swaminarayan Temple at Neasden. It's very beautiful and if it happened to be convenient for you, would that make something to do before dinner, for example?

Secondly, Roger, I don't quite know what to say; I am so touched and of course would be delighted to take you up on your offer! It's quite the nicest proposition I've had in donkey's years. Please tell me exactly which day and at what time you're going to be doing the visualising and I will make sure I coincide. awww, gee thanks, pal. BTW I'm not allowed to take nothing nada zilch with me when I visit my son so I will have to do a virtual ceremony with him too, but unfortunately without his knowledge as he is more than a little embarassed by my 'conversion' to Hinduism. ('Couldn't you be a Buddhist, Mum, that would be much more fashionable')

trisha - I go to India every Winter for about seven months. I am based in a little place called Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu but I also travel to Kerala and to a Goddess temple in Karnataka. I have spent time in the North but it doesn't speak to me as much as the South. I must have been South Indian in a previous incarnation! At the moment I'm just putting out vibes to find tenants for my flat while I'm away so if you hear of anyone, let me know!

Rakhee - great to hear from you again. Hope you are well. Tell me what pusli is please?

Love to all
Sunanda xxx

RE: Raksha Bhandan!

Hi!

I think i will most probably invite them over for dinner-that way i can get it over and done with much quicker!!

Rakhee-It's suprising to see Tesco selling rakhi's and arti plates! They do cater for asians a lot now! In the future they will prob end up selling sari's in their clothing range!! i don't do tilak and choka on them-i used to when we were very young and mum made us but my cousins don't like having a red spot on their forehead!! I just give them something sweet to eat!

Sunanda-Yes i have been to Neasden temple several times. I always go every year at Diwali-regardless of how busy it is!! The atmosphere there is brilliant and you really feel like you are celebrating! It's a bit far from where we live (would prob take about an hour-without traffic!) We have a swaminarayan temple near my house (10min walk) so could always go there. I wanted to visited south india when i went last year but didn't have time (when you go with ur mum u spend all your time visiting so called family who you never knew existed or shopping-which i won't complain about!!) Will hope to visit when i go next year!!

Trisha

RE: Raksha Bhandan!

We are having my sister-in law and family down here from London for a BBQ on saturday - ok, a day late!

Hopefully the weather will stay good, and we will eat kebabs and chicken till we burst! We are lucky that in the afternoon we can go and watch the Birdman of Bognor!!!!

My sister in law always gets really pretty rakhi's, and they seem to last for a really long time. It is good for our children to see this every year (I am not a Hindu, and the children are baptised CofE) as it is still part of their lives.

Hope everyone has a great day x
Karen

RE: Raksha Bhandan!

Hi Trisha,

Rakasha bhandan is such a lovely reminder of the protection we get from our brothers and the care we can offer as sisters! I like to place the rakhis on my mandir at home on the morning of raksha bandhan and ask God to add His blessings to the rakhi before tying it. Will you light a diva lamp and pass it in a few circles in front of your brothers before tying a rakhi?

My mum taught me a sweet gesture where the sister gently places the tips of her fingers against the temples of the brother, and then brings her hands back to her head and presses the bent nuckles against her own temples. A clicking in the joints of your knuckles is a sign of good luck. I think the gesture is more of a family tradition than religious 🙂

Talking about the Swaminarayan Mandir, I hope you've all discovered the shop in the car park selling mithai sweets and savoury snacks!