Rakhi Celebration Across India

India is a land of festivals and fairs. Throughout the year, there are celebrations of one or the other kind. The main reason behind a large number of fairs and festivals is the vast size of the country with varied climatic conditions. It is interesting to know that the same festival is celebrated with different names and customs in different parts. This goes with Raksha Bandhan as well. The sister ties the Rakhi on the brother's wrist and both pray for each others' well being and brothers take a pledge to take care of their sisters under all circumstances.

In different parts of India Raksha Bandhan is celebrated by different names. In northern and western part of India, Rakhi celebrations take place on "Rakhi Purnima". In Western parts Raksha Bandhan is called "Nariyal Purnima" to signify the full moon like coconut. In southern part of India, Rakhi is celebrated as "Avani Avittam / Upakarmam". Central India celebrates Raksha Bandhan as "Kajari Purnima". The Raksha Bandhan day is celebrated as Pavitropana in the far western part of the India.

Avani Avittam
Raksha Bandhan (Shravan Purnima) is celebrated as Avani Avittam in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and parts of Orissa and Maharashtra. Avani Avittam is considered an important day for the Brahmins in southern states of India.

Kajari Purnima
In the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh, the Raksha Bandhan day is called Shravani or Kajari Purnima. Kajari Purnima falls on the same day as Raksha Bandhan.

Nariyal Purnima
IRaksha Bandhan is called the Nariyal Purnima or coconut full moon in the Western parts of India that includes the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the beginning of a new season for the fishing community who is dependent on sea for its livelihood.

Pavitropana
In the state of Gujarat the Raksha Bandhan day is celebrated as Pavitropana. Being great devotees of lord Shiva, the Gujaratis offer prayers to the three eyed God on Raksha Bandhan. The Gujaratis offer water to lord Shiva throughout the year.

Rakhi Purnima
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Rakhi Purnima in the northern and northwestern parts of India with traditional gaiety and fervor. Though Rakhi Purnima is celebrated in many parts of India, it has different names, rituals and customs.