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Raksha Bandhan

रक्षा बंधन
RUCK-shah BUN-dun

Hindu festival where sisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists.

Appears as an answer in MG Mini #172.

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Meaning & usage

Raksha Bandhan, often shortened to "Rakhi", falls on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravan (usually August). A sister ties a decorated thread on her brother's wrist as a symbol of love and a request for protection; he gives her a gift and a promise. The relationship doesn't have to be biological — many friends and even neighbours tie rakhis. Variants of the festival appear across Indian communities under different names.

In a sentence

Every cousin who could travel was home for Raksha Bandhan.

Common spelling variants

  • Rakhi
  • Rakshabandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the English spelling used in MG Mini #172.

As seen in crosswords

Raksha Bandhan is a 13-letter answer. A typical clue:

“Hindu festival where sisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists” (6,7)

Play the crossword that uses it — MG Mini #172

Category: Festival Origin: Sanskrit Script: Hindi

Related words

  • Eid — Either of two major Muslim festivals — Eid al-Fitr after Ramadan, or Eid al-Adha at Hajj.
  • Diwali — Hindu festival of lights celebrated across India and the South Asian diaspora.
  • Holi — Hindu spring festival of colours marking the triumph of good over evil.
  • Navratri — Nine-night Hindu festival honouring the goddess Durga in her nine forms.
  • Dussehra — Hindu festival marking Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana.
  • Bhaina — Brother

Related crosswords

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