Raksha Bandhan 2018: Five stories of how Rakhi came into existence

Raksha Bandhan is an occasion to flourish love, care, affection and sacred feeling of brotherhood. It is celebrated to spread the love and respect between a brother and sister. As tradition continues, it celebrated as the day where a sister ties a thread around her brother's wrist as a symbol of protection while the he promises to protect and take care of her.

Here are the five different stories on how Rakhi came into existence and the festival Raksha Bandhan: 

1. The origin of Raksha Bandhan comes from the ancient times when Indrani tied a thread given to her by Lord Vishnu around her husband Lord Indra's wrist to protect him from demons during the war between the Gods and demons. 

2. Another story believes that demons won the war and captured heaven. Lord Indra, who was unhappy about this, complained to Brihaspati (guru of the gods), who then prepared a raksha sutra and told him to wear it for protection.

3. The promise of protection was seen in the Mahabharat too. It is believed that once Lord Krishna cut his finger and was bleeding profusely. Seeing this, Draupadi tore a part of her sari and tied it around his finger. This is believed to be the reason why he saved her during her cheerharan by Kaurava.

4. The most significant story of the dedication of a brother's promise is that of Emperor Humayun who went with his troops to Mewar when Rani Karnavati, who ruled the region then, asked for his help. Mewar had been attacked twice by Bahadur Shah and as a ray of hope she sent a letter to Humayun with a rakhi asking for his help. The emperor who was between a military campaign then left everything to go and protect her.  

5. Another story has it that Rakhi saved Alexander The Great's life. When he had invaded India, his wife Roxana had sent a 'rakhi' to the Katoch King Porus and he had vowed to protect her and her husband. So, on the battlefield when he was about to kill Alexander he saw the rakhi and refrained from killing him.