Other Pujas — Vedic Puja Vidhi
Raksha Bandhan Puja
Raksha Bandhan Puja is the sacred ritual at the heart of the Raksha Bandhan festival — observed on the full moon of the Shravana month (July–August) — in which a sister ties a sacred thread called a rakhi on her brother's right wrist as a symbol of love, protection, and an unbreakable bond. The word "Raksha Bandhan" literally means "bond of protection." The puja component involves preparing a ritual thali with the rakhi, kumkum, akshata, deepak, and sweets, performing a tilak on the brother's forehead, offering aarti, and then tying the rakhi with accompanying prayers for the brother's long life and well-being. The festival's mythological roots span from Draupadi tying a strip of her sari around Krishna's wrist to Queen Karnavati sending a rakhi to Emperor Humayun.
Last updated: 24 April 2026 · Source: Vedic Tradition
Benefits
Strengthens the bond of love and protection between brother and sister, invokes divine blessings for the brother's longevity, health, and success, channels the sister's prayers as a protective shield around her brother throughout the year, fulfils the sister's wish for her brother's prosperity, and renews the sacred familial covenant of mutual care and responsibility.
Step-by-Step Procedure
On Raksha Bandhan morning, the sister takes a bath and prepares a puja thali. Arrange on the thali: the rakhi thread, a small deepak (lit), kumkum, akshat (unbroken rice), sweets (mithai), and sometimes dry coconut. The brother sits facing east or north. The sister applies a tilak of kumkum on his forehead, places a few grains of akshat on the tilak, performs aarti by rotating the deepak clockwise around his face three times, and then ties the rakhi around his right wrist while chanting — "Yena baddho Bali Raja Danvendro Mahabalah, Tena tvam anubadhnami Raksha ma cha la ma cha la." The brother offers gifts and a heartfelt promise of protection in return. The ceremony is completed by sharing sweets and seeking the blessings of elders.
Best Time (Muhurat)
Shravana Purnima (full moon of Shravana month, July–August). The puja should be performed during the Aparahna (afternoon) or Pradosh (dusk) muhurta on the Purnima day. Bhadra kaal must be avoided — a pandit or Panchang should be consulted for the exact auspicious window.
Materials Required (Samagri)
- ·Rakhi thread
- ·Puja thali (plate)
- ·Kumkum (vermilion)
- ·Akshat (unbroken rice)
- ·Small earthen or brass deepak
- ·Ghee or mustard oil for the lamp
- ·Sweets (mithai)
- ·Dry coconut
- ·Incense sticks
- ·Yellow turmeric paste
- ·Flowers
FAQ
Q.What is Raksha Bandhan Puja?
Raksha Bandhan Puja is the sacred ritual at the heart of the Raksha Bandhan festival — observed on the full moon of the Shravana month (July–August) — in which a sister ties a sacred thread called a rakhi on her brother's right wrist as a symbol of l...
Q.What are the benefits of Raksha Bandhan Puja?
Strengthens the bond of love and protection between brother and sister, invokes divine blessings for the brother's longevity, health, and success, channels the sister's prayers as a protective shield around her brother throughout the year, fulfils the sister's wish for her brother's prosperity, and renews the sacred familial covenant of mutual care and responsibility.
Q.What is the best time to perform Raksha Bandhan Puja?
Shravana Purnima (full moon of Shravana month, July–August). The puja should be performed during the Aparahna (afternoon) or Pradosh (dusk) muhurta on the Purnima day. Bhadra kaal must be avoided — a pandit or Panchang should be consulted for the exact auspicious window.
Q.What materials are needed for Raksha Bandhan Puja?
Rakhi thread, Puja thali (plate), Kumkum (vermilion), Akshat (unbroken rice), Small earthen or brass deepak, Ghee or mustard oil for the lamp, Sweets (mithai), Dry coconut, Incense sticks, Yellow turmeric paste, Flowers.