Hinduism

We have been studying the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan.  This is a celebration of the love between brothers and sisters.

On the day of the full moon during July/August, Mum brings in a tray with Kum Kum (red powder), some rice and a rakhi that her daughter has made for her brother.  The girl puts her finger in the powder and places it on her brother’s forehead.  Then she puts some grains of rice on top.  She then ties the rakhi round his right wrist and says a prayer for him.  ‘May God save you from illness and accidental death.  May all your ambitions come true.  May God bless you.’  Her brother will wear the bracelet for the next couple of weeks until it falls off.  Meanwhile he gives his sister a gift such as a gold necklace and promises to look after her and protect her.

We tried making some rakhi (friendship bracelets).  It was quite difficult to pleat with wool so we stuck them to the desk with sellotape as we went along!  You can see the results here.