Rakhi, Brother Sister Day

Today is Rakhi or Rasksha Bandhan.its a day to celebrate the tie between brothers and sisters. Raksha means protection and Bandhan means bond.

This festival has its origins in Hinduism, but people of all religions embrace it. A story goes that the kingdom of Chittor was attacked by Bhadur Shah, when the king was away.Queen Karnavati sent a distress message to the Muslim emperor Humayun to come and protect them. With the message she sent a cotton thread taken from her sari.Humayun, who was leaving for a war campaign immediately went to the queen 's rescue.From there started the tradition of exchanging rakhis between people of different faiths.

Amongst our Hindu friends, the sister ties the rakhi on her brother 's wrist and puts a mark on his forehead and feeds him sweets first offered to the gods.In return the brother gives a gift to his sister.

Now this festival has become very commercialized. You can buy gold and silver rakhis encrusted with precious stones costing thousands of rupees and ordinary ones for as little as ten rupees.The gifts also come at various prices.Sweet shops are over crowded. There is festivity and gaiety in the air.