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Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) is called Avani Avittam in
South India. This falls on the full moon day of the month of Sravan
(August-September). It is an important Hindu festival. Hindus wear a new
holy thread and offer libations of water to the ancient Rishis on this
day.
Recitation of the Vedas on this great day is highly beneficial. Raksha
Bandhan festival is also known as Upakarmam, and is specially sacred to
the Brahmins who have been invested with the sacred thread. When the
Brahmin boy is invested with this holy thread, Symbolically his third eye
or the eye of wisdom is opened. This festival of Raksha Bandhan reminds
the wearer of the sacred thread of its glorious spiritual significance.
Brahmins also offer libations with water to their ancestors to whom they
owe their birth and to the Rishis to whom they are indebted for their
spiritual knowledge and the Vedas themselves. The true Hindu never forgets
his benefactors!
The followers of the four different Vedas have their Upakarmam on
different days.
On this day, Sachi the consort of Indra, tied a holy thread or amulet
around the wrist of Indra when he was defeated by the demons. Then Indra,
the king of gods, gained a victory over the demons, by the Power of this
protection (Raksha means "protection ") and recovered the lost
city of Amaravati.
In North India, on this day, an amlet known as a Rakshi or Rakhi is tied
round the wrist of brothers by the sisters as a protection from evil
during the ensuing year. Brahmins and Purohits similarly tie amulets round
the wrists of their patrons and receive gifts. A Mantra is recited when
the Rakhi or the silken thread is tied. The silken thread is charged with
the power of the Mantra which is as follows:
Yena baddho balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah;
Tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshey maa cchala maa chala.
The power of this Mantra protects the wearer from evil influences.