Raksha Bandhan 2025 date and shubh muhurat: Know the auspicious time, rituals, and legends behind this sibling festival
Raksha Bandhan, a cherished Hindu festival that honors the deep bond between brothers and sisters, will be celebrated on Saturday, August 9 in 2025 and it is falling on the Shravana Purnima (full moon day), the day holds emotional, religious and cultural significance across India.
Sisters tie rakhis on their brothers’ wrists, praying for their well-being, while brothers promise to protect them always, the festival also marks moments of togetherness, laughter and shared memories.
Since there is no Bhadra period, which is avoided for auspicious activities by tradition, this year's celebration can go on without any hindrances. The ceremony done in Aparahna (late afternoon) is ideal, but in Pradosh Kaal (evening) as well.
On Raksha Bandhan, sisters also make a puja thali containing rakhi, roli, akshat, sweets and a diya. After putting on the rakhi and offering tilak, they do aarti and pray for their brother's well-being. To reciprocate, brothers exchange gifts and promise to guard their sisters at all times. These rituals are not religious; they reiterate love, gratitude and lifelong security.
While based on custom, Raksha Bandhan has now become a celebration of bonds of emotions. People now also put rakhis around the wrists of cousins, friends or even neighbours. The feeling is the same — a vow of trust, concord and respect.
The festival has one of its strongest foundations in the Mahabharata. When Krishna hurt his finger, Draupadi cut a part of her saree and tied it to stem the flow of blood. Krishna, moved by this, promised to defend her at all times. He later kept this promise in the infamous cheer haran, by giving her an unlimited amount of fabric so that she could maintain her dignity. This tale explains the essence of Rakhi — a sacred bond of selfless protection.
