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Raksha Bandhan 2024 celebration with London Police Service

On 22nd August 2024, the auspicious festival of Raksha Bandhan, was celebrated with  London Police at their Head Quarters.

Children applied tilak, tied Rakhis and offered Mithai to Police Officers, blessing them on this auspicious occasion. This was an offering of gratitude to them, for the security and protection they offer us every day. The Police officers look forward to this celebration every year and expressed their happiness and gratitude for recognizing and appreciating their work.

Since 2011, we have celebrated this festival with London Police, except for a three year pause due to COVID.

Raksha means “protection,” and Bandhan means “to tie, or bind.” Thus Raksha Bandhan is the ‘bond of protection.’  The heart of the festival is when sisters tie a Rakhi, a specially made bracelet, on the right wrist of their brothers. This simple act symbolizes their wish for the welfare of her brother and the brother’s commitment to always stand by and protect her.  Women may also tie Rakhi to close friends and neighbors.

Raksha Bandhan is a festival of love and inspiration observed in its own way by each family.

A typical Rakhi consists of a few simple strands of colored cotton, silk, or even gold thread. The ‘bond of protection’ takes place simply, yet sincerely. The men wear a cloth on the head and face east. The sister, sometimes reciting a mantra, applies a tilak to her brother and ties on the rakhi, blessed with sacred rice and flowers. Then she puts a sweet or mithai in his mouth, and he offers her a sweet cake, gifts, and usually some money. There are many legends on the festival’s origin. It is said that after her rescue from Ravana, Sita tied a Rakhi on the wrist of Lakshmana to invoke his protection from future dangers. Goddess Lakshmi is said to have tied Rakhi to the demon Bali in order to rescue Vishnu.