The legend of Raksha Bandhan

There are various legends 

surrounding the festivities of 

Raksha Bandhan and it also finds a 

mention in the Mahabharata. Some 

of the prominent one is the legend 

of Queen Karnavati and Emperor 

Humayun.

According to the Indian medieval 

history, Queen Karnavati 

of the Rajput Kingdom, Chittor had sent a Rakhi to 

Humayun the Mughal Emperor of Delhi seeking his help 

against Bahadur Shah of Mewar. Emperor Humayun knew 

about the significance of Rakhi in the Hindu community 

hence accepted her request to protect Queen Karnavati.

Since then the ritual of tying of a sacred thread Rakhi on 

the wrist of brothers is celebrated with much fervour all 

over the country.

The legend of King Bali and Goddess Laxmi is a popular one. 

According to the legend Lord Vishnu was immensely pleased 

with his devotee King Bali thus granting him a boon of 

immortality and promised heavenly protection for his 

kingdom.

In order to fulfil his promise Lord Vishnu left his abode 

Vaikunthdham and came to stay with King Bali. Soon 

Goddess Laxmi visited King Bali on the Shravan Poornima 

day disguised a poor Brahmin lady and tied Rakhi on his 

wrist. When King Bali tried to give her some present, she 

revealed her true identity and asked the King to send Lord 

Vishnu back with her to Vaikunthdham.

Another legend is of Yama (the God of death) and Yamuna. 

It is believed that on every Shravan Poornima day Yamuna 

used to tie a sacred thread on Yama’s wrist. Yama was so

moved by the serenity of this custom that he declared that 

whosoever gets a Rakhi tied on his wrist from his sister and 

promised her protection will become protection.

Since then Raksha Bandhan celebrates the eternal bond

between brothers and sisters all over the country.