Patna: Raksha Bandhan is being celebrated across Bihar on Friday, coinciding with the full moon day, or Purnima, of the bright fortnight of the Shravan month. According to a Patna-based astrologer, there is no Bhadra period affecting the festival this year, allowing sisters to tie rakhis to their brothers throughout the day.
Although the Purnima Tithi formally ends at 9:27am on Friday, the day is being observed as Purnima because the lunar day prevailing at sunrise is considered significant. The festival is being celebrated under Shatabhisha Nakshatra.
Friday-Purnima combination considered auspicious
The astrologer said that performing the Raksha Bandhan ritual during a Bhadra-free period is considered favourable and is traditionally associated with prosperity and good fortune.
The combination of Shravan Purnima and Friday is also considered significant in astrology. Friday is traditionally associated with happiness, harmony and love, while the full moon symbolises completeness.
According to the astrologer, the alignment is believed to promote affection, communication and closeness within families.
The planetary positions cited for the day are the Sun in Leo, Jupiter in Cancer and Saturn in Pisces.
How Raksha Bandhan rituals are performed
For the traditional ceremony, sisters prepare a puja thali containing flowers, roli, sandalwood paste, akshat, sweets, a ghee lamp and the rakhi.
The ritual generally involves applying tilak to the brother’s forehead, tying the rakhi, performing aarti and offering sweets. Brothers then present gifts to their sisters and reaffirm their commitment to their protection.
Rakhis also tied to deities
The astrologer said that devotees following Sanatan traditions may also tie rakhis to their revered deities on Shravan Purnima.
According to the tradition described by the astrologer, devotees may tie specially prepared rakhis to their Ishta Devta and Kula Devta, as well as to deities including Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman, Rama and Laddu Gopal. Sandalwood paste, mantras, sweets and aarti are also part of the ritual.
Meanwhile, environmental enthusiasts are using the occasion to spread awareness about conservation by tying rakhis around trees and plants and taking pledges to protect them.
Lunar eclipse will not affect Raksha Bandhan in India
A partial lunar eclipse is also occurring on Friday, between 8:04am and 11:22am.
However, the eclipse will not be visible in India, including Patna. According to the astrologer’s interpretation, this means the eclipse will have no scriptural or astrological implications for people in India, and the Sutak period will not be observed.
The eclipse is expected to be visible from parts of Antarctica, Africa, Asia and Europe, as well as over portions of the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
