Rakshabandhan 2025: Even though Raksha Bandhan is a symbol of brother and sister’s love, the cultural diversity of India has decorated this day in many forms. From the worship of cows to the sea offering, Yajnopavit to Jhula Utsav, Savan Purnima means its own in every state. This festival connects us with our roots and reminds us that our unity is hidden in variations. The full moon of Sawan is not just a festival, but a glimpse of the diverse culture and tradition of India. Every state has watered this day with its recognition, faith and customs. This diversity is also the biggest quality of India, which makes every festival not only religious, but a social and cultural festival.
On the full moon of Sawan, the sisters who tie the rakhi while wishing their brother’s long life, are not just affection, the centuries -old traditions are also wrapped. But do you know that this festival is not the same in different parts of the country? Each state has a unique image of its own, let us make you a beautiful journey of traditions.
North India: Brother’s wrist and sister’s prayer
In states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, this day becomes a festival of sacred relationship of sister-brother. The sisters wishes for a long life of the brother by tying Rakshasutra and the brothers give them gifts. Conditional dishes are made and there is a festive atmosphere in the house.
Maharashtra and Goa: Narli Purnima
Here this day is celebrated as the worship of the sea, which is called Narli Purnima. The fishermen living on the beach begin the new fishing season by offering coconut to the sea god. Women fast with a wish of happiness and peace in the house and worship in the evening.
Orissa: Unique tradition of village full moon and cow worship
Sawan Purnima in Orissa is called ‘Gram Purnima’. Special worship of cows is done here on this day. It is believed that all the deities reside in the cow. In the villages, villagers decorate the cows, make up and make them eat them respectfully. This tradition is associated with cowsmith and agricultural culture.
South India: Avni Avitam and Yajnopavit Sanskar
In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka, this day is known as Avni Avitam. Especially men of the Brahmin community change their Yajnopavit (Janeu) and resolve self -purification by chanting Vedic mantras. It is considered a spiritual and restraint day.
Central India: Jhula Utsav and Kajali Songs
In the rural areas of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, there is a swing festival on the day of Sawan Purnima. Women sing traditional kajali songs, swing and play folk traditions in the reception of rainy season.
Gujarat and West India: Holy Bath and Fasting with Rakshabandhan
In Gujarat, Rajasthan and surrounding areas, on the day of Raksha Bandhan, a fast is kept in holy rivers and fasting. The sisters especially worship Rakshasutra, and worship for the prosperity of the brother. There is also a tradition of tarpan for fathers in many places.
Tradition of Nag Puja in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh
In these states, a special event of worship like Nag Panchami is organized on the day of Sawan Purnima. People make milk idols or paintings of Nag Devta and offer milk to them and pray to protect the house. This tradition is particularly seen in areas where the beliefs associated with serpents are deeply connected.
Rajasthan: Rakhi ties the family not just brother
Here Rakhi is not limited to brother’s wrist. Sisters also tie lumba to sister -in -law. It is a beautiful rakhi like bangle which is considered a symbol of good fortune. In many houses, the ritual of Rakhi is performed among the brother-in-law.
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: Worship is done on the full moon of Sawan, then Rakhi
Before Rakshabandhan, the sisters worship Tulsi, Lord Vishnu and Ganesha. There is also a tradition of tying a rakhi by fasting on the day of Sawan Purnima. Together, the sisters tilak the brother and turn their hands on his head, so that it is not seen.
Punjab and Himachal: Raksha Sutra relationship up to the fields
Rakhi here is not limited to human relationships. Many farmers also tie rakhi to their fields and plows on this day, so that greenery always remains in the fields. This sentiment of Raksha Sutra goes beyond the relationship and also connects to the earth.
West Bengal and Odisha: Rakshabandhan here becomes Jhulan Purnima
Along with Rakshabandhan in these states, Lord Krishna and Radha’s Jhulan Leela is celebrated. The sisters tie rakhi to the brother, but together there is a swing festival in the temples, which makes this day more pure.
Plowing in Chhattisgarh is prohibited
In the rural areas of Chhattisgarh, Rakshabandhan is not just a festival of sister-brother, but is considered to be a rest day to Mother Earth. It is believed here that on this day it is forbidden to plow in the fields. It is associated with the worship and sensation of the earth. So that the earth can get relief on Shravan Purnima.
‘Shravani’ tradition in Uttarakhand
This day is known as Shravani in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Here the people of the Brahmin community change Yajnopavit (Janeu) and take blessings from scholars by tying Raksha Sutras. The sisters wishes for the prosperity of the whole family along with tying rakhi to their brothers.
Pure folk ‘Janeu Pujan’ in Jharkhand
In Jharkhand, Rakshabandhan is also celebrated as ‘Janeu Pujan’. In rural society, this day is special for religious rituals and folk worship. All the people from children to old people wear old janeu on this day and wear new and resolve to protect religion.
‘Upakarma’ happens before Brahmins special Raksha Bandhan
In the Brahmin community across the country, a tradition of sage Tarpan and Upakarma is played before Rakshabandhan. On this day, the study of Vedas is resolved and old janeu is changed. It is a religious preparation day before the sisters tie the rakhi.
‘Jhijia Rakshabandhan’ and farm rakhi in Chhattisgarh
In some areas, sisters also worship plow, bull and farm after tying rakhi to brother. It is believed that the life of the brother whose land is green, his life will also be prosperous. There is also a tradition of tying rakhi to plow in many places.
‘Rajrakhi’ and ‘Kumkum Rakhi’ in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
Rakshabandhan is not only for brothers here. Women also tie rakhi to God, king or priests. It is called Rajrakhi. In many places, sisters also tie rakhi on the door or basil of the house.
Rakhi of collective Rakshabandhan and goodwill in Bengal
From the time of Rabindranath Tagore, Rakhi in Bengal became not only of brother and sister, but also a symbol of collective harmony. The tradition of celebrating collective Rakshabandhan for Hindu-Muslim unity was started, which continues even today.
‘Jawai Purnima’ in Nepal
In Nepal, it is called ‘Janai Purnima’. Here the priests tie a holy thread (Jawai) to the people called ‘Rakshasutra’. Special mantras are chanting while tying it and it is associated with Brahminic tradition.