How to Celebrate Rakhi Festival in India

RAKHI, a famous north Indian festival is celebrated around the world every year in the month of august which is the month of festivals. The festival is celebrated variedly in different parts of the region. On the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan both brother and sister sits face to face after performing Puja, then sister applies a tilak on brother's forehead and performs aarti for him .The sister then ties a rakhi thread on her brother's hand for his long, healthy and happy life. Rakhi helps to ward of the evil spirits and protect him supremely and it strengthens the bond and everlasting love between them. The materials that are used to make the traditional rakhi are feather fibers as well as some glitters added to it. It also contains metals like gold, silver beads, which add a beauty to the thread, and much needed glamour as the person is going to wear for almost a year. Brother shows his thankfulness to his sister for her love and vow to protect her from all hardships in life. Brother and sister share sweets and spend harmonious time with rest of the family members. The rituals are performed to the god so that they bless both the brother and the sister with their divine help.

Brother pampers their loving sisters by giving return gifts to them. It can be some cash or gifts like jewelry, soft toys or dress etc. Sisters too show love for their brothers by showering gifts on them. Those who stay away from their siblings take help of the courier, postal and online Internet services to make each other feel special and wish to be together on the day of Raksha Bandhan.

You will find a wide variety of rakhi gifts in the market that a brother gives to his sister to show his love and care for his sister. In early days brothers used to give cash to their sisters as return gifts. But now-a-days gift articles are given as Rakhi Return Gifts. For sisters who are fond of jewelry you can gift them some nice jewelry like rings, pendants, earrings etc. For fashion loving sisters' mirrored bags, fancy tops, nice perfumes etc. can be gifted. Now for the sisters who have younger brothers who are interested in playing and love to sport, gift ideas like video games, toys, games CDs, etc will be the right choice. And brothers who are interested in reading you can gift them good reference book, novels, etc. Hence, this festival is celebrated all over the world to re-assure the sacred relationship of brother and sister.

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Celebrating Goddess Lakshmi at Dhateras Festival

Come autumn with its lavish harvest and cool breezes, and for the people of India, its time to revel in various festivities. One of these festivals is the Dhanteras, also known as 'Dhantrayodashi' or 'Dhanvantari Triodasi' dedicated to the celebration of Goddess Laxmi. The festival, observed two days before Diwali is considered to herald the onset of the festival of lights. Hence, it can also be called Diwali eve. The festival usually comes every year in the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwin (October / November).

The Dhanteras has special significance to the business community of India, as they pray to Laxmi, the goddess of wealth for good fortune and success in life. Amongst the business community the jewelers specially celebrate this festival in the most pompous manner in the gold market areas.

The festival is marked by colorful decorations and renovations in individual houses and business places to welcome Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Women make colorful rangolis, alpana or floor patterns with small footprints of the goddess to symbolize her entry into their houses and business establishments. Some people light diyas, or traditional lamps throughout the night to ward off evil spirits. Doors remain open and neighbors or communities get together to share sweets and tiny lamps.

For additional luck and wealth, people also purchase gold and silver articles, new jewelry, car, and homes during this festival. Jewelers' shops remain open late into the night and are crowded throughout the day. A few devouts even fix dates for marriages on this day.

In south India, on Dhanteras evening, preparations are made for a sacred bath to be taken early next day - on Narakchaturdashi. Water pots are cleaned, venerated, decorated with marigolds and mango leaves and filled with water. They are heated next morning and the hot water is used for ritualistic baths for the destruction of sin and ignorance. Traditional sweets like laddus, chaklis, sakkaparas, and badam halwa are very much a part of the revelry.

There is an interesting legend related to this festival. The sixteen year old son of a certain king Hima was predestined to die by a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage. But on that day, his wife kept him awake and laid all her ornaments at the entrance and went on telling stories and singing songs. As it was destined, god of death 'Yama' disguised as a snake tried to enter the Prince's chamber but was bedazzled by the lights of ornaments climbed the heap of ornaments and sat there listening the songs and next morning he went away without completing his mission. This day is hence celebrated as Yamandeepdaan and a diya is kept burning whole night on Dhanteras in the name of Yama.

Apart from fun, revelry and shopping, this festival is also the best occasion for buying and gifting exclusive Dhanteras gifts. Apart from gold and silver jewelry, other items like silver coins, pooja accessories, brass, metallic, fiber or wooden idols of gods and goddesses can be given out to near and dear ones. The business class forming a huge chunk of the expatriates from India sends Dhanteras gifts to India, to their acquaintances. Sending Dhanteras sweets to relatives and acquaintances is another way to celebrate this festival.

Nowadays, some financial institutions and corporate houses have also come up with the novel idea of corporate gifting to their employees and clients on the occasion of Dhanteras.

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The Festival of Holi

Holi, Phagwa or Basant Utsav is an annual festival that welcomes spring. It is celebrated on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna (end February or early March). Holi is particularly celebrated in North India. The association of Holi with religion is absent now since there are no longer any customs that may remind us of its religious roots.

How do People Spend This Holi-Day?
Holi is celebrated in all states and territories except Karnataka, Kerala, Nagaland, Puduchery, Tamil Nadu and Tripura. Vasant Panchami in Orissa, Tripura, West Bengal. The day begins with people attending Holi parties where everyone gathers to celebrate Holi with dance music and colours. There is a ritual of drinking bhang ki thandai and eating mithais and sweets (that may also be filled with bhang, an intoxicating homemade drug). Rest of the day is spent visiting family and friends and exchanging Holi gifts in India.

Holi Bonfires
Initially Holi was a celebration of fertility and new beginnings that lasted for many days or weeks. But, the main festivities last two days. On the first day of the celebration, which is known as Chhoti Holi, Holika Dahan takes place. This tradition involves burning huge bonfires, dancing, singing and general merry making. The idea behind Holika Dahan is the victory of good over evil.

Colours of Holi
The best part of any Holi celebration is the play with colours. People throw Holi gulal and Abeer on friends and dear ones on Badi Holi or Dhulendi. It is the time of forgetting all enmity and meeting each other with lots of love. Also, people sing and dance on the beats of dholak. All these traditions add more joy to the festivities on Holi.

Legend Behind Holi Colours
As with Holika Dahan, the story behind Holi colours is connected to another of Lord Vishnu's avatars, Krishna. Legend has it that Lord Krishna was not too happy with the fact that whereas Radha was fair complexioned, he himself was very dark. Krishna questioned his mother about this injustice. To make her son happy, Yashoda suggested that Krishna apply colour on Radha's face and change her complexion. Krishna was also understood to have played with milkmaids (gopis) by throwing colour and water on them. It was thus that the game of applying colours gained popularity and became a part of Holi traditions. Even now, the application of colours is also an expression of love.

Playing with Colours on Holi
All kinds of distinctions are forgotten during Holi. The tradition of playing with colours on Holi is extremely popular as a general leveller among men and women (and other differences) in the society. There are Holi games that generate a feeling of goodwill and equality. Children also especially wait for this festival to show their true mischievous colours. They eagerly wait for someone with dry colours and water colours filled in a water jet popularly called a pichkari. 'Bura na mano Holi hai' is the underlining theme of this fun filled festival.

You can check various sources for gift ideas on Holi.

I have visited this gifts site, you can also refer this to get ideas on Holi gifts.

http://holi-gifts.indiangiftsportal.com/

Send Rakhi to India on Rakhi Festival 2010

Indians are crazy about the festivals, why are they so crazy about the festivals, because, they enjoy the festivals and make lot of fun. Enjoyment and relaxation fill the life with enthusiasm and make the life refresh. Being a good listeners and a good disciplined life one can work better and develop better.

This can be a great time to get refreshed from continuous working schedule. Festivals can be celebrated for various reasons like any new thing happened in the society, crop harvesting, for rain, for any cultural reasons or to avoid from calamity. These are the certain reasons why we enjoy or celebrate festivals. Among Indians who are residing elsewhere not in India but the relationship builds on various parameters like showing love and affection to your near and dear ones. IF you're an NRI and want to gift something for your sister in India then you can send gifts to her online on sendrakhitoindians.com.

On the occasion of Rakshabandhan any NRI sister can send Rakhis to her brother without any shipping charges. But when it comes to relationship building, the only thing is respect and love with each other that makes the life or you can say binds the two lives in a single thread called "Rakshabandhan". For sisters many online websites are available on internet which has been providing lot of colorful Rakhis that could be sent to India. India is a country in diversity. So every festival has its own importance.

There is a swanky design of Rakshabandhan to meet the customer's satisfaction available on online. Some of them are ethnic Bhaiya-Bhabhi Rakhi pair (which is very popular these days), American diamond Rakhi with enamel work (Quality with Superiority), bracelet style midsized Rakhi with interlocked diamonds (mostly for teenagers and youngsters), exclusive Micky Rakhi (children), electrifying Mehandi green crepe Kurti with pears and crystals (for all), dry fruits delight and others. May companies have a set of gifts which could be sent to his sister are also in directory. These inventories will provide a set of special gifts that cannot be forgotten. So this is a nice opportunities to grab and purchase Rakhis gift for your sister in India. This is the right time after the recession to gift something extra on the festival of Rakshabandhan.

If you want to send any rakhi or rakhi gifts to india or rakhi to india then once visit our site and make sure you will definietly like it.

Importance of Rakhi Festival in India

India is the land of festivals. Though all the festivals have their importance; Rakhi stands out as a unique gift of Indian culture. The simple threads of Rakhi symbolize the sacred love of brother and sister. When a sister ties a Rakhi on her brother's wrist, her sentiments flow towards her brother that he should get each and every happiness. At the same time the brother thinks on the same wavelength that at in any cost he would protect the honor of his sister.

It is immaterial whether a sister or a brother is in the same village, town or city in India or USA, Canada, Australia, UK. Personally tying a Rakhi on her brother's wrist or sending online Rakhi Gifts, always strengthens affection for her brother. The same way when a brother personally gives or send online return gifts to his sister, his unuttered vow to protect her is revealed. So Rakhi is the confluence of true and perfect feelings of siblings.

Hindu month of Shravan (August) has a number of festivals. Rakhi, falling on the full moon day, is one of the major festivals of the month. Rakhi festival is also known in different parts of India as Kajri Purnima (Kajri Navami) in North India, Nariyal Purnima (Coconut Full Moon) in Western India and Shravan Purnima in South India. Besides being the festival of sister and brother, Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is known by different names like Vish Tarak (the destroyer of venom), Punya Pradayak (the bestower of boons), and Pap Nashak (the destroyer of sins).

Importance of Raksha Bandhan: Rakhi is a traditional Indian festival celebrating the bond of love between brother and sister. The society and traditions allied with this festival are exclusive and very special in themselves. Every part of India celebrates Rakhi in its own way along with its rich culture, tradition and pooja.

Rakhi Festival in Agra: In Agra the Rakhi Festival is very important and can be seen in almost all house. Colorful Rakhis in amiably decorated Thalis greet brothers as the daylight of Rakhi touches Agra. People of Agra are very colorful and traditional in their celebrations of Rakhi Festival. The sisters and brothers also dress up in bright colored clothes and then the rituals of Rakhi are performed.

Rakhi Festival in Delhi: Delhi has people from all parts of India and because of this; it is rich in the different cultures of India and Rakhi is one of the most important festivals. On the occasion of Rakhi, Delhi takes on a very colorful look with the day celebrated in full mood & strength. From the eve of Rakhi only sisters line up for attractive Mehandi designs. With the very morning of Rakhi, both brothers and sisters dress up in colorful new clothes and the sisters fast till the customs of Rakhi are complete. After the customs the whole family joins in for a family lunch and enjoys some quality time together.

Rakhi Festival in Bangalore: For the southern part of India, Rakhi is not a key festival and so as in Bangalore. Although there's mixture in culture and tradition, Rakhi festival is an important part of the Bangalore city. On the day of Rakhi, people dress up in new clothes. People of Bangalore celebrates Raksha Bandhan with ease; the traditional Rakhi Thread & the Puja connected with this day.

Rakhi Festival in Chandigarh: Rakhi is vital festival in Chandigarh. On the day of Rakhi brother and sister get up early and wear new clothes. Sister put Mehandi on her hand and keeps fast till the ceremony of Rakhi. If you are in Chandigarh then you can certainly not miss out the hustle-bustle of Raksha Bandhan.

Rakhi Festival in Kolkata: Raksha Bandhan in Kolkata is a little bit different from Northern India. Rakhi is a festival, which is originally a tradition of Northern India. In Kolkata this tradition is popularly celebrated as Bhai Dhooj, similar to Raksha Bandhan. Although Rakhi is not the major festival of Kolkata still like the other parts of India this day is celebrated with bliss and happiness. People in West Bengal also tie the Rakhi thread around the wrist of her brother. This is accompanied by the Chandan Tilak as well.

Rakhi Festival in Mumbai: Bombay now known as Mumbai - The heart of India is known as a city that neither stops nor sleeps. When the festival of Rakhi comes, Amchi Mumbai takes on a colorful continuum of images with Rakhis, Rakhi Gifts & Rakhi Return Gifts flooding the market. All can find a wide variety of Rakhi with latest designs & styles in Mumbai. Even clothes are especially tailored for this occasion. The society and traditions of Raksha Bandhan are alike to any other state of India. The happy spirit of the people makes all the distinction.

Taking this feeling of brotherhood and harmony aboard, Rakhi is today celebrated with equal passion and ecstasy around the world. The Indians living abroad haven't forgotten their culture & traditions at all and celebrates Rakhi Festival with full enthusiasm. People from all around the world celebrate Rakhi festival by tying Rakhi thread around the wrist of the brother and sisters pray for their well being of the brothers.

Come; let's enter this world of cultural & traditional beauty and the stunning bond of love between a brother and a sister. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in a different way in different parts of the India along with the cultural diversity.

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Rakhi Gifts to India

Rakhi to India

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