Daijiworld Media Network

Mumbai, Aug 12: They say traditions alter as the years pass by. The symbolic 'Rakhi', according to tradition is tied around a brother's wrist. However, now a days, members of a family tie the 'Rakhi' around each other's wrists to express their love and affection.

Hindus tie the Rakhi around the idol of Lord Ganesha to seek the blessings of his bounty. According to legends, the Gods who were losing a battle to the demons approached Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu advised them to ask their female relatives to tie a protective band around their wrists. In fact, Lord Indhra's wife Sachi too tied a Rakhi around her husband's wrist.

Ravindhra Nagar from New Delhi said, "The rakhi is a symbol of protection and solidarity, almost like the friendship band that began in the United States and has now reached our shores."

A resident of Gujarat, Sabarkantha, said that in their family, a woman would visit her brother's house on Raksha Bandhan to tie a  Rakhi to his wife if the wife is younger than the sister-in-law. Sometimes the Rakhi is also tied to a niece.

The traditons on this day seek the protection of the five elements in Nature and also the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi to remain upon the household.