KARACHI: The Hindu community in the metropolis celebrated ‘Raksha Bandhan’, a vibrant festival that celebrates the bond of love between brothers and sisters, with traditional zeal and enthusiasm. Raksha Bandhan literally translates to ‘bond of protection’. During Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a ‘Rakhi’ bracelet around their brothers’ wrists in return for their protection. This ritual can be traced back to several Hindu myths , one of them about Lakshmi tying a thread to King Bali. According to tradition, Lord Vishnu, Lakshmi’s husband left his home to guard another kingdom. Lakshmi, who wanted to be united with her husband, tied a thread to King Bali who was so touched that he requested the Lord to let her accompany him on the quest. In Karachi, Hindu women tied ‘Rakhi’ to their brothers after attending religious services while brothers reciprocated the love by exchanging gifts. Married women visited the homes of their brothers during the day to tie the Rakhi bracelet and carry out the sacred ritual. A large number of Hindu women and young girls from all across the metropolis thronged to Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Sunday for early ‘pooja’. They then prepared for ‘Aarti’, a Hindu religious ritual of worship. After praying for protection against the evil eye on their brothers, the women proceeded to tie rakhi around their brother’s wrists. Makeshift stalls selling Rakhi bracelets in different colors and designs cropped up inside several temples in the city. Along with Rakhi bracelets, the shopkeepers also sold other items used in worship. Gothum Govind’s family came to Shri Swaminarayan Temple to celebrate Rakhsha Bandhan because it was the oldest temple in the city. “We always await the commencement of the day as it brings pride to our sisters,” said Govind. Govind’s wife Kirti said that the festival of Rakhsha Bandhan was more of a cultural occasion than a religious ceremony. “Raksha Bandhan is a festival devoted to sisters. Hindu women receive gifts and prepare extensively for this festival,” said Kirti. Dr. Sunita Kumari explained that during Raksha Bandhan, more commonly known as “Rakhi”, siblings prayed for each other’s well being and brothers pledged that they will take care of their sisters, regardless of the hardships that confront them in life. “Brothers usually give gifts to their sisters on Rakhi,” she added. Laila Joshi, a housewife, told Daily Times that she started Rakhi preparations by decorating an ‘Aarti thaali’ which is a special plate used to perform ‘aarti’. “The Aarti Thaali consists of a rakhi bracelet, rice, grains, a ‘diya’ (clay lamp), sweets, a small cup of holy water, sandal paste, incense sticks, a piece of saffron cloth, fresh and dry fruits, nuts or fresh cooked food,” she explained. “I do all this for my brother Sanjay,” said Laila Joshi. “He is not my real brother but he called me a ‘sister’ back when I moved to Karachi. Since then, I have been tying rakhi to him,” she added wistfully. “This festival has become more of a ritual between real brothers and sisters even though it really began as an honorable relationship between strangers,” she commented. A banker Ajay Lovjee Baria said that unsullied love between brothers and sisters was one of the deepest and noblest of human emotions. He said that Raksha Bandhan celebrated this special bond of love between siblings. According to Maharaj Goswami Vijay Kumar Gir, Rakhsha Bandhan begins on the ‘Ponam’ (full moon) in the holy Hindu month of ‘Shravan.’ “It is a brother’s obligation to offer protection to his sister,” he added. Published in Daily Times, August 27th 2018.