ॐ
Nepal JyotishTraditional Science
Festivals

Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi)

The story of the Raksha Bandhan festival, when a sacred thread is tied upon brothers' wrists while the goddess of protection is invoked.

FacebookX (Twitter)WhatsApp

Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi)

In the ancient war between the gods and the demons, when the gods were repeatedly defeated at the hands of the demons, Indra, king of the gods, went to his guru Brihaspati to ask for a means of protection.

Indrani (Shachi) spun a sacred rakshasutra (thread) charged with mantras, and by the hand of guru Brihaspati it was tied upon the right wrist of Indra, king of the gods.

By the divine power of that sacred Raksha Bandhan, the gods won victory over the demons.

This holy festival, on which a mantra-charged thread is tied and protection is wished for on the day of the Shrawan Shukla Purnima, and on which sisters tie a thread (rakhi) upon their brothers' wrists while wishing them long life, is called 'Raksha Bandhan'.

Note: These are traditional Nepali folk tales (kimbadanti), passed down orally through generations. They may or may not reflect actual historical events, but they are told and believed as part of Nepal's cultural heritage.

Related stories

More from Festivals and the threads this story shares.

Ghantakarna (Gathamuga)The story of how the atheistic aghori Ghantakarna became a demon and was killed, and the Gathamuga festival came to be celebrated.Nepal SambatThe story of how the astrologer Siddhivanta found an auspicious moment and Nepal Sambat was begun.Bala Chaturdashi (Balachahre)The story of Bala Chaturdashi, how the guthiyar Balananda ate a gidhi and became the man-eating demon Balasur.Dhanya Purnima (Yomari Punhi)The story of Yomari Punhi, how grain and wealth increased after the wife of the rich Suchandra fed Kubera.ShivaratriThe story of Shivaratri, how a hunter offered bel leaves through the night, won Shiva's grace, and attained liberation.Bisket JatraThe story of Bisket Jatra, in which the people of Bhaktapur, freed from the practice of keeping night watch, raise the lingo.