….credit for Taru
Bandhan festival goes to Mahadev Mahato from Dudhmatia village……Mahato has helped restore 25,000 acres of
forestland…..“for natives of Jharkhand, forest is a part of life…why not include trees as part of our family and rituals”….
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Of the many traditions that cut across communities in India, Raksha-bandhan or Rakhi is probably the most popular and one with the longest historical record (unfortunately that does not protect such traditions in Pakistan…for example). There is the story of (Rajput Queen) Karnavati sending a rakhi to (Mughal Emperor) Humayun seeking protection against Bahadur Shah (Muslim ruler of Gujarat). The rakhi legends extend even further back to Alexander the Great (see below).
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As part of an unique movement for conservation in the eastern, tribal
dominated state of Jharkhand, even the trees get a rakhi (see below).
If it works, it has our blessings.
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Are girls (especially didi-s or elder sisters, even little girls of those sisters) born to be matriarchs? It may be a stereotype, but it certainly holds true in our extended family. Many a time we restore
our oppressed spirits by mumbling “hitler” sotto voce, but if the lady
is perceptive, she will come back with a ki bolle? (what did you say?).
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Regardless, sisters are very precious and getting a band from a
sister is a privilege. Sad to say, these traditions are dying out, however, we
did update the practice so that in our home brothers tie a band on the
sisters as well. Wishing all the brothers and sisters out there all the best. Everyone have lots of fun and stay safe.
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practised in the tribal heartland of Jharkhand has helped restore and conserve
hundreds of acres of forestland in the state
eastern India has evolved a unique tradition of forest conservation — tying
rakhis to trees. Rakhi is an Indian festival for siblings where the sister ties
an auspicious thread of love on her brother’s wrist, amidst great revelry and
feasting. The latter, in turn, promises her protection throughout his life.
harbour such strong feelings towards the forests and trees that villagers tie
the same auspicious rakhi thread around the trunks of trees. The ritual, called
Taru Bandhan or Vriksh Raksha Bandhan, is aimed at preserving trees from the axe
and the saw. In return, the forest offers people a sustainable way of life.
practise this unique ritual on the eve of the state’s foundation day fortnight,
starting November 15. And, thanks to the villagers’ enthusiasm, the
celebrations continue right up to the New Year.
festival, this ritual too starts on an elaborate note as the women of the
village, dressed in their colourful best, gather in the forest. A bedi
(altar) is erected on an elevated patch of land, at the forest entrance. It is
decked with flowers and embellished with motifs created out of coloured rice
paste and other grains. It is here that the Van Devi (Goddess of the Forest) is
invoked with offerings of fruit, incense sticks and holy threads that are later
wound around the trees.
is also an occasion to celebrate and rejoice,” says Amarnath Bhagat, Ranger,
Hazaribagh. Amidst the sounding of the nagara, dhol and mandar
(tribal musical instruments), vermillion is applied on the trunk of the tree. A
garland of hibiscus or marigold is suspended from the tree and an aarti
(ceremony done with incense sticks and earthen lamps)performed in much the same
way as that which takes place during the Rakhi festival.
children who take part in large numbers, not only for the continuance of the
tradition but also to spread awareness. They enact small plays at the venue,
and design posters and banners that are displayed at the site.
practised on a sal or sakhua tree (Shorea robusta) or the mahua (Madhuca
latifolia), karaunj (Pongamia pinnata), kathal (Hallocarpus
indicus), neem (Azadiracta indica), etc. “Sal is regarded as
the ‘king of the forest’. It greatly promotes conservation and proliferation of
various types of plant species, thereby improving biodiversity and conservation
of nature,” says Kanhai Mahato from Tuktuko village, Bagodar block in Giridih.
“Our village forest management and protection committee has restored 800 acres
of forestland,” he adds with pride.
forest where the rakhis will be tied to trees. “Once a tree is ‘ritualised’ we
do not pluck even a leaf from it,” says Anju Devi from Mangro village,
Vishugarh block, Hazaribagh.
Bandhan festival, nearly a decade ago, goes to a local villager by the name of
Mahadev Mahato from Dudhmatia village in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district. A
schoolteacher by profession, Mahato has helped restore nearly 25,000 acres of
forestland. “For the natives of Jharkhand, the forest is an inseparable part of
their life; why not include trees as part of our family and rituals,” he asks.
fellow villagers but also to the forest department that has acknowledged his
efforts. Palamau, Dhanbad, Chatra, Koderma and Hazaribagh are some of the
districts that have taken the initiative in propagating this unique “green
tradition”.
Rallan, from Hazaribagh where the practice is most common, says: “The concept
is basically the brainchild of Mahato, which we are carrying forward in other
districts too.” It has proved very effective in bringing about villagers’
participation in forest conservation, which forms the basis of joint forestry
management.
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Raksha Bandhan means “Knot of Protection,” and the festival ceremonies include the sister tying a rakhi
bracelet around her brother’s wrist, which symbolizes the sister’s love
and the brother’s lifelong duty to protect his sibling. The festival is
often simply referred to as “Rakhi” after the name of this ceremonial
bracelet.
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Saturday, the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, issued a greeting
for tomorrow’s celebration, focusing on women: “May the festival be an
occasion for re-dedication to the well being of women, particularly the
girl child.”
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Raksha Bandhan is an ancient celebration and its history is inter-woven with various stories and myths.
One story tells the tale of Mughal emperor Humayun and widowed queen
Rani Karnavati of Chittor. In the 16th century AD, Sultan Bahadur Shah
of Gujarat rode with a conquering army into Chittor, prompting Rani
Karnavati to sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun in a request for help.
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Touched by her plea, the Mughal emperor rode to her defense but was too
late, as the princess and all the other women of the fortress had
committed suicide and the fortress had been captured. Humayun defeated
and expelled Sultan Bahadur and placed Rani’s son on the throne, and the
rakhi subsequently became a symbol of brotherly protection.
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Another legend even involves the West, invoking the figure of Alexander the Great. When Alexander invaded India in the 4th
century BC, the story holds that his wife Roxana sent a rakhi to King
Porus of Paurava. Roxana implored the king not to harm Alexander in
battle, and Porus respected her request, staying a killing blow to
Alexander on the battlefield while wearing the rakhi. Historically, the
Greeks won the battle and Porus continued to rule Paurava in service to
Alexander.
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During the festival,
participants wear fine Indian clothing and prepare many traditional
Indian foods and snacks. During the rakhi ritual, the sister will first
tie the bracelet around her brother’s wrist, then bless him and pray
over him. She will then feed him, usually with some sweets that have
been prepared. The two will then hug and exchange gifts, thus ending the
ritual. The brother will keep the rakhi and wear it for the rest of the
day as a reminder of his duty to protect his sister.
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Not only Hindus, but Sikhs, Jains, and even some Indian Muslims
celebrate Raksha Bandhan as well. In recent decades, Raksha Bandhan has
spread to other parts of South Asia, developing different regional and
cultural variants and practices. For many, it has extended beyond the
traditional brother-sister relationship and is used to celebrate the
love of ones cousins or even very close friends.
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The festival takes
place in the Hindu calendar month of Shraavana, and falls on August 10
this year.
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Link (1): http://hindus-prepare-raksha-bandhan-annual-celebration-brother-sister-love
Link (2): http://infochangeindia.org/environment/stories-of-change/a-rakhi-for-trees.html
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regards