In the month of August, we, Indians celebrate the bond of love in between brother and sister every year.
Raksha Bandhan is mostly about celebrating the relationship between brothers and sisters.
Sisters wrap a rakhi around their brothers' wrists on this day to show their love, concern, and protection for one another.
If the wearer preserves the sanctity of the Yagnopaveetam (holy thread across the breast), it is believed and stated to even act as a Raksha (protection) to them.
Rakhi tying is not limited to sibling relationships. A disciple may bind it to the Guru, or a wife could tie it to her spouse.
This tie does not have to be between blood kin; a girl may tie a Rakhi to adopt a boy as her brother.
This custom not only fortifies the loving relationship within the family but also outside of it.
The necessity of having a peaceful social life is highlighted when neighbors and close friends tie Rakhi on one other's wrists.
This aids in expanding one's perspective to include the entire planet (vasudha) as one family, or Vasudhaiva kutumbakam, rather than just the boundaries of one's own family.
This celebration has historical and mythological importance.
According to the Bhavishya Purana, when Indra the King of Devas was about to be defeated by Vritra Asura, his consort Sachi Devi tied a rakhi around him as a defense against adversaries (Demons).
Historically, it is stated that Alexander's wife tied a Rakhi to the famous Hindu King Purushottam of Punjab after Alexander was vanquished in order to keep her husband alive.
Raksha Bandhan, then, represents the unrivaled tie of love, caring, and respect.
The socio-spiritual theme of the Rakhi festival emphasizes the need of cultivating virtues and maintaining purity in speech, deed, and mind.