Raksha Bandhan 2025: The Bond of Protection
Festival guide · 2025
Raksha Bandhan (राखी) — the bond of protection — is a Hindu festival celebrating the relationship between brothers and sisters. It falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the month of Shravan, typically in late July or August.
Sisters tie a rakhi — a decorative thread — around their brothers' wrists, symbolising a prayer for their protection and wellbeing. Brothers give gifts and pledge to protect their sisters. The festival transcends caste and is celebrated across India and by the Hindu diaspora worldwide.
2025 Dates
| Date | Saturday, August 9, 2025 |
Dates are calculated automatically and may vary by ±1 day. Always confirm with your local religious authority.
Traditions & Observance
The Rakhi Ritual
The sister performs a short puja, applies a tilak (auspicious mark) to her brother's forehead, lights a diya, and ties the rakhi. The brother offers gifts — traditionally sweets, money, or jewellery — and promises to protect his sister. The ceremony is performed at an auspicious muhurta time calculated from the panchang.
Types of Rakhi
Traditional rakhis are simple coloured threads with a small decorative element. Modern rakhis range from bead work and zardosi embroidery to eco-friendly seed rakhis that can be planted. Children often wear character rakhis. Many siblings separated by distance exchange rakhis by post or courier, maintaining the tradition across continents.
Beyond Blood Ties
The rakhi tradition extends beyond biological siblings. Female relatives tie rakhis to male cousins and family friends. The festival is observed between neighbours and communities to build bonds of goodwill. Historically, it was even tied by queens to foreign rulers seeking protection — Rani Karnavati of Mewar sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun in 1535 CE.
Regional Variations
In Coastal Maharashtra and Goa, Raksha Bandhan coincides with Narali Purnima — the coconut festival marking the end of the monsoon fishing ban. Fishermen offer coconuts to the sea. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, the day is also called Shravani Purnima and has additional regional customs.
Other Years
The exact time for tying the rakhi depends on the Bhadra period — rakhis should be tied after Bhadra ends. Confirm the auspicious timing with your local panchang or temple.