Rakhi is an amulet tied by a sister on her brother’s wrist at the festival of Raksha Bandhan. Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the full moon of Shravan and is prominent among all the religions in and around the Indian subcontinent. Sisters tie Rakhis to ward off evil eyes and bless their brothers with a happy and prosperous life, while brothers promise in return to protect and take care of the sisters throughout their lifetime. This festival is not just confined to the brother-sister relationship, but sisters also tie Rakhis among themselves. Rakshabandhan celebrates bonds connected not just by blood but also by hearts, and is an opportunity to show your chosen kin how much you care about them.
The perfect Rakhi used to be handmade out of cotton thread, with a gotta patti attached to it, but today there are many variations of Rakhis available in the market. Rakhis for kids are made of soft materials that will not harm their tiny hands. Modern rakhis for kids use silk threads, satin ribbons, wool or cotton to create colorful bracelets for the tiny tots. Cutouts of famous cartoon characters like Chhota Bheem, Little Krishna, Talking Tom, Mickey Mouse etc. are also pasted onto Rakhis to make them look funkier.
Rakhis for adults have also evolved through time, they are no longer made of mere cotton threads with wooden beads. Rakhis these days are made out of gold, silver and other precious metals. Diamonds and pearls are seen studded over silver Rakhis for a majestic finish. Meenakari and Zardosi works are also seen to be popular. Rakhis have evolved to incorporate multicolored beads, white gold, rudraksha, and metals. In short, this thread of love is not just a symbol of affection among siblings but it is also an asset that may prove to be of monetary value during a financial crisis.
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