About Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on Shravana Purnima, the full moon of the month of Shravana. On this day sisters tie a rakhi, a sacred thread, on their brothers' wrists, apply tilak and offer sweets, praying for their well-being. Brothers in turn promise to stand by their sisters and often give a gift. Today the festival embraces many kinds of bonds, including cousins, sisters tying rakhi to one another, and close friends who regard each other as family.
Several stories surround the day. The Bhavishya Purana describes Indrani tying a protective thread on Indra before his battle. In the Mahabharata, Draupadi tears a strip of her sari to bind Krishna's bleeding finger, and Krishna later protects her in her hour of need. Another tale tells of Goddess Lakshmi tying a rakhi on King Bali. Families usually tie the rakhi outside Bhadra. In South India, the same full moon is Avani Avittam, when the sacred thread is renewed, and in coastal Maharashtra it is Narali Purnima, when coconuts are offered to the sea.
How it is observed
- Preparing a thali with rakhi, roli, rice, a diya and sweets
- Sisters tying the rakhi and applying tilak while praying for their siblings
- Brothers offering a gift and a promise of care and support
- Choosing an auspicious time that avoids Bhadra for tying the rakhi
- Sending rakhis to siblings living far away and connecting with family
Raksha Bandhan dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Monday, 19 August 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Saturday, 9 August 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Friday, 28 August 2026 | Past |
| 2027 | Tuesday, 17 August 2027 | Next |
| 2028 | Saturday, 5 August 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Friday, 24 August 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Tuesday, 13 August 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated across India
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
North India
Raksha Bandhan
Sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers' wrists and pray for their well-being, and brothers promise to protect them.
Coastal Maharashtra, Goa
Narali Purnima
Koli fishing communities offer coconuts to the sea to thank the sea god and mark the start of the fishing season after the monsoon.
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Avani Avittam, Upakarma
Many families change their sacred thread (janeu) with Vedic chants, and the day is also marked by renewed study of the Vedas.
West Bengal
Jhulan Purnima
This full moon ends Jhulan Yatra, the swing festival of Radha and Krishna in temples and homes.
Odisha
Gamha Purnima
Odisha celebrates the birth of Lord Balabhadra, and cattle are decorated and worshipped.
Uttarakhand
Janopunyu, Bagwal
In Kumaon men change their sacred thread on Janopunyu, and Devidhura holds its famous Bagwal fair.
The same full moon is observed as Avani Avittam in the South, Narali Purnima on the Konkan coast and Jhulan Purnima in parts of the East.
← All festivals