Raksha Bandhan, commonly known as Rakhi, is a sacred festival celebrated enthusiastically among the Indian diaspora worldwide. It symbolizes the eternal bond of love and protection between siblings. While Rakhi is deeply rooted in Indian culture, it has also found its way into the hearts of the Indian community residing in Australia.
Indians take their culture with them no matter where they live and are very proud of it. More than 32 million people of Indian origin live outside India. Everyone misses their motherland, but borders do not bind the festivals. Millions of Indians celebrate festivals outside India with the same zeal as in India.
The beautiful festival of raksha bandhan is also celebrated all across the globe. The festival ignites the spirit of love, care, affection, and empathy among siblings. Sisters send Rakhi to their brothers, and in return, brothers send rakhi gifts to India for their sisters.
Today we will guide you on how to celebrate Rakhi traditionally in Australia. Following the details will allow you to uphold the customs and traditions of this joyous festival while embracing your new home away from home.
What Should Be In The Puja Thali?
The Rakhi Thali holds significant importance during the Rakhi ceremony. It is a beautifully decorated plate or tray that contains various items essential for the ritual. The Rakhi thali is the heart and soul of the occasion. Here’s a list of items that should be included in the Thali:
- Roli: Roli signifies auspiciousness and is used to apply a tilak on the forehead of the brother or sibling. Tilak is a crucial element in the puja of rakhi. It signifies victory and confidence. In historical times kings used to apply tilak before going to war. That is the significance of Tilak in our culture.
- Rice Grains: Rice grains symbolize prosperity and abundance. They are used to shower blessings on the brother/sibling during the Rakhi ceremony.
- Diya: Lighting a diya adds a spiritual touch to the ceremony. It represents the removal of darkness and the presence of divine light.
- Sweets: Include a small portion of traditional Indian sweets, such as laddoos or barfi, in the Thali. Sweets symbolize the sweetness of the relationship and are shared as a token of love.
- Rakhi: Place the beautifully designed Rakhis in the Thali. These Rakhis symbolize the bond between siblings and are tied on the brother’s wrist during the ceremony.
- Incense Sticks: Burning incense sticks is believed to purify the environment and create a positive atmosphere during the Rakhi ceremony.
- Flowers: Flowers enhance the beauty of the Thali and levitate the surrounding aroma.
Arrangement Of Items In The Puja Thali:
The arrangement of items in the Thali adds to the aesthetic appeal and significance of the ceremony. Traditionally, Thali should be arranged in a particular matter because everything in it has different importance, and by arranging it appropriately, the Thali.
Here’s a suggested arrangement:
- Place the Roli in a small container or on a leaf in one corner of the Thali.
- Keep the rice grains in a separate container, preferably adorned with a decorative cover.
- Position the diya (oil lamp) in the center of the Thali. Fill it with oil and place a cotton wick, ready to be lit during the ceremony.
- Arrange the sweets in a small bowl or plate, ensuring they are easily accessible for the exchange of sweets.
- Carefully position the Rakhis in the Thali, making sure they are visible and ready to be tied on the brother/sibling’s wrist.
- Place the incense sticks in a holder or stick them in a small container filled with rice grains.
- During the blessings, keep a small spoon or plate to shower the rice grains on the brother/sibling’s head.
- Arrange any additional items or decorations around the Thali, such as flowers, leaves, or decorative elements, to add a touch of elegance.
How To Perform The Rakhi Tying Ceremony?
The Rakhi ceremony is a sacred ritual that involves a series of steps. Follow these guidelines to perform the Rakhi ceremony and send Rakhi to Australia:
Prepare the Thali: Arrange the items in the Thali neatly. Place the Roli, rice grains, sweets, diya, incense sticks, and Rakhis in an organized manner.
Dress Up: Dress in traditional Indian attire for the occasion. Wear vibrant clothes and adorn yourself with jewelry to enhance the festive spirit.
Seek Blessings: Begin the ceremony by seeking the blessings of the elders in the family. Touch their feet as a sign of respect and seek their blessings for a prosperous life.
Perform Aarti: Light the diya and incense sticks in the Thali. Hold the Thali and perform Aarti around the brother/sibling, symbolizing the removal of negativity and invoking divine blessings. The aarti should be done in clockwise rotation as it indicates order with the universe.
Showering Flowers: To show each other the love brothers and sisters showers from the Thali.
Tie the Rakhi: Tie the Rakhi on the right wrist of your brother/sibling. Apply a tilak of roli on their forehead and shower rice grains on their head, signifying love, protection, and blessings. The sister should tie Rakhi physically to the brother, but if the brother is far away, then the sister can send Rakhi to Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, or wherever the brother resides through online channels.
Conclusion
With the help of technology, we can solve many of our problems, one of them being sending rakhi to our brothers residing far away. Celebrating Rakhi traditionally in Australia allows the Indian diaspora to honor their cultural heritage and maintain a special bond between siblings. Sisters in Australia can also send rakhi to Hyderabad to their brothers to celebrate the occasion globally.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure a meaningful and authentic Rakhi celebration. Remember, the essence of Rakhi lies in the love, respect, and blessings shared during the ceremony. May this beautiful festival strengthen the bond between siblings and bring joy, prosperity, and happiness to all who celebrate it, regardless of their geographical location.
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