Holiday: Rakhi Bandhan

I was stupid and basically missed this one. It's today, but I just saw my brother yesterday... :/ Of course, he thinks this Hindu thing I'm doing is pretty weird, but he's always been good about just standing back and letting me be kooky.

As you may have guessed, this is a festival about family. It is for brothers and sisters. The sister makes a bracelet of sacred red thread and some decoration and ties it around her brother's wrist to show her appreciation and love for him. He promises to protect her. She does aarti to him and puts a tilak on his forehead and he usually gives her some kind of gift in return. And sweets are eaten.

It's a kind and love-filled day and I wish I had realized earlier that it was coming up. I would have done something to mark it with my little brother (and by little I mean the kid is twenty three and just graduated college!), even if not a full ritual. At least I could have taken him out for ice cream.

For more information:
http://www.raksha-bandhan.com/rakhi-traditions-and-customs.html