Things to keep in mind for Rakhi puja

In Hindu culture, puja is an integral part of all rituals, with each occasion and festival featuring its unique pooja, complete with its significance and customs. Among these, Raksha Bandhan stands out as an auspicious festival that celebrates the unbreakable bond between brothers and sisters. Every year, during Raksha Bandhan, siblings eagerly come together to celebrate with sweets, gifts, and, of course, puja. While some individuals have their unique customs, such as watching a movie or preparing special cuisine, Rakhi puja is a tradition embraced by everyone. Rakhi puja has its own set of rituals and essential rules to ensure that it is performed traditionally and auspiciously. Even if you are not a devout follower of traditional puja methods, keeping these guidelines in mind will help you conduct the ceremony correctly, inviting positive energy and seeking blessings from the divine.

Here is a list of things to keep in mind for Rakhi puja:

Bath Before Puja Ceremony: While daily bathing is customary, it holds even greater importance during festivals. According to Hindu traditions and culture, a pure body is essential for auspicious activities or rituals. It is crucial to bathe before commencing any such activity and to seek blessings from the gods and your elder siblings immediately after bathing.

Fasting: On Raksha Bandhan, sisters traditionally fast for their brothers to invoke blessings for a prosperous, wealthy, and joyful life. This fast is observed until the Rakhi puja is performed to seek divine blessings for their brothers. Sisters can break their fast after the completion of the puja. Maintaining the fast until the puja ceremony is vital for ensuring happiness for their brothers.

Clean Clothes: As Raksha Bandhan is a sacred and auspicious festival, both brothers and sisters should wear clean clothes. After bathing, ensure you wear clean attire. Wearing yellow or red-colored clothes is considered auspicious, while black or dark colors should be avoided as they are deemed inauspicious.

Sitting Arrangement: While performing Rakhi puja, it is essential to sit in the right direction to attract positive energies. During the rakhi tying and puja, brothers should face the north or east, while sisters should face the opposite direction. Be cautious not to sit facing south during the Rakhi tying ceremony.

Avoid Inauspicious Signs on Rakhi: During Rakhi puja, ensure that the Rakhi you intend to tie does not bear any inauspicious symbols or signs. When purchasing Rakhi, ensure it features auspicious signs like Swastik, Kalash, Om, or others. Incorrectly oriented Swastik symbols are considered inauspicious, so pay attention to their direction.

Cover Your Head: Both brothers and sisters should cover their heads during the Rakhi tying and puja. Brothers can use a handkerchief or any cloth to cover their heads, while sisters can use a dupatta.

Rakhi Thali: Raksha Bandhan and Rakhi puja are incomplete without a Rakhi thali. Sisters should decorate the thali and place all essential puja items in it, including Kumkum, Rakhi, Diya, Sweets, Coconut, Rice grains, and Roli. These items are vital for the successful completion of this auspicious ritual.

Timing of Puja: Just like other puja ceremonies, Rakhi puja should be conducted at the right time to have a positive impact on both brothers and sisters. Avoid tying Rakhi during Bhadra and Rahu Kala, as these are considered inauspicious times according to the Hindu calendar. Stay informed about the auspicious timing to ensure your Rakhi puja is performed in the right time frame.

Perform Puja Ceremony in the Right Way: Before tying Rakhi to your brother, it is considered auspicious to worship Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is traditionally worshipped at the beginning of special occasions, rituals, and puja ceremonies. Therefore, start your Rakhi puja by paying homage to Lord Ganesha before tying Rakhi to your brother. Make sure you tie the Rakhi on your brother's right wrist, as the left wrist is considered inauspicious.

Gifts: Exchanging gifts has become a common practice during or after the puja ceremony. However, ensure that the gifts you give are not inauspicious. Avoid gifting sharp objects, as they are considered unlucky. Keep this in mind when selecting a gift for your brother.

Sweets: Sweets are a significant part of Rakhi puja, symbolizing the sweetness of the sibling relationship. You can include various types of sweets in your puja thali. Chocolates have become a popular choice as a substitute for traditional sweets. Whether you choose different sweets, chocolates, jaggery, or sugar, the idea is to symbolize the love shared between siblings.

Diya: During Rakhi puja, ensure you light a ghee Diya, as it is believed that the Diya's flame removes negative energies and effects from your brother's life. The cotton wicks in the Diya symbolize the soul, burning away negativity. You can use either ghee or oil for the Diya, and it should be lit during the Arti.

In conclusion, Rakhi is one of the most auspicious rituals in Hindu tradition, symbolizing the love between brother and sister. The festival's rituals should be performed with reverence and adherence to tradition to eliminate negative energies. The above-mentioned guidelines are important whenever you perform Rakhi puja, inviting auspicious energy and ensuring you follow the right path. Celebrate your Raksha Bandhan this year with these essential practices.

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