Raksha Bandhan, a festival celebrating the bond of love between brothers and sisters, observed on the full moon of Sawan, will be celebrated on Saturday, August 9, 2025, this year. On this day, sisters tie Rakhi on their brothers' wrists and wish them happiness, prosperity, and a long life. In return, brothers promise to protect their sisters for life.
Rakhi is Not Just a Thread, But a Sacred Symbol
Rakhi is not just a silk or cotton thread; it is considered an emotional and spiritual symbol of the brother-sister relationship. It is a bond that encompasses love, blessings, and a sense of protection. After tying the Rakhi, many people keep it on their wrist for a long time, but many are unaware of how long it is appropriate to wear it.
How Long Should You Wear Rakhi? Know the Religious Perspective
According to religious beliefs, it is not considered auspicious to remove the Rakhi immediately. It should be kept on the hand for at least one day, i.e., 24 hours. The belief behind this is that it is considered inauspicious to remove the thread imbued with a sister's devotion and protective feelings immediately.
According to some beliefs, Rakhi can be worn for three, seven, or eleven days. Furthermore, according to another tradition, Rakhi can be kept on the hand from Sawan Purnima to Bhadra Amavasya, i.e., for about 15 days. In many homes, it is not removed until Janmashtami or Ganesh Chaturthi.
Why is it Considered Necessary to Remove Rakhi Before Pitru Paksha?
Pitru Paksha, the fortnight of ancestors, is a very sacred and reverential time in the Hindu calendar. During this time, new festivals or auspicious items are not kept. Therefore, Rakhi, which is a symbol of a festival, is considered appropriate to be removed before Pitru Paksha begins.
From a Scientific Perspective, How Long Should You Wear Rakhi?
If we talk about the scientific point of view, Rakhi is a thread that gets dirty with time. It becomes dirty due to contact with dust, soil, sweat, and water, which can breed bacteria. This can cause skin infections.
Therefore, Rakhi should only be worn as long as it is clean and in good condition. If it starts to fray or gets dirty, it should be removed.
What to Do After Removing Rakhi: Here is the Traditional Way
Rakhi is a religious object, so it should be removed respectfully. It is considered inauspicious to throw it away. Whenever you remove the Rakhi from your wrist, immerse it in a sacred place.
- You can immerse the Rakhi in flowing water.
- If that is not possible, you can bury it at the root of a Tulsi plant.
- Another option is to tie the Rakhi to a branch of a Peepal or Neem tree.
By immersing the Rakhi in these ways, the environment is not harmed, and religious sentiments are also maintained.
Respect the Sister's Feelings
For a brother, Rakhi is not just a thread, but a symbol of his sister's feelings, her love, and her trust. When she ties the Rakhi, it contains not only her good wishes, but also an invisible energy that manifests for the brother's protection. Therefore, the way to remove the Rakhi should also be the same as with any worship material.
After Wearing Rakhi, How to Take Care of It with Daily Habits
If you have Rakhi tied on your hand and your hand gets wet repeatedly in daily tasks, the Rakhi may deteriorate quickly. Especially Rakhis made of silk and raw threads wear out quickly.
In such a situation, it is important to keep the Rakhi dry and cover it with a clean cloth if necessary. Try to prevent it from getting wet or exposed to soap etc. while washing your hands.
Rakhi's Forms Have Also Changed in Changing Times
Nowadays, many types of Rakhis are available in the market, such as bangle-style, leather, silk, stone-studded, and decorative Rakhis. Some people also prefer steel or gold-coated Rakhis that can be kept on the wrist for a long time. However, traditionally, raw thread Rakhi is considered more important, in which the feeling of devotion is considered greater.
Every Rakhi Has Its Own Sentiment
Every sister expresses a different sentiment for her brother through her Rakhi. Some Rakhis have love, some have concern, and some have blessings. This is why it is important to respect that feeling before removing the Rakhi. Whether the Rakhi is kept for one day or ten days, understanding the feeling hidden behind it is the true spirit of the festival.
