Please welcome my guest author today, Amita Shah, with her post on Rakhi, also known as Raksha Bandhan! She also has a new picture book to celebrate this holiday. I also have a post on how Indian boxing champion Vaibhav Yadav celebrates Raksha Bandhan with his family.
Shanti and the Knot of Protection: A Rakhi Story by Amita Shah, illustrated by Faariha Mastur
This story ties in with historical tales about the origins of Rakhi—from a queen centuries ago who needed protection from a neighboring king, to modern times where it is celebrated by siblings that are brothers and sisters, siblings that are both girls or both boys, children without siblings, and even cousins and friends!
With this captivating story, children will learn more about the history of Rakhi through colorful illustrations set in Rajasthan in the 1500s. The enchanting pictures of palaces and historical characters bring alive the timeless tradition of Raksha Bandhan (the bond of protection) that has stood strong for centuries. This story also shows how this celebration has transformed over time, with modern illustrations that depict how today’s families celebrate Rakhi with vibrant colors and laughter. Celebrating relationships and understanding what makes us feel protected and secure are key themes throughout this story. A must-read for kids who want to learn more about Indian culture, its history, and its traditions!
This book also contains more information about the festival of Rakhi and the origins of Rakhi, a glossary of Sanskrit terms, and instructions for extension activities” How to make a Rakhi and How to make a personalized Rakhi. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
We are giving away two signed copies of Shanti and the Knot of Protection: A Rahki Story. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.
p.s. Here is another picture book on Raksha Bandham.
Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat
Bina wants to make special bracelets for her brothers to celebrate the Hindu Holiday, Raksha Bandham. She figures out what colors each of her brothers likes and dislikes and creates the bracelets in an alternating pattern. This picture book teaches patterns as a math concept while celebrating the sibling bond connection of Raksha Bandham. picture book, ages 3 and up]
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Happy Rakhi! Let’s explore this fun-filled festival together!
What is Raksha Bandhan/Rakhi?
Did you know that the word “rakhi” comes from the Sanskrit word “rakshabandhan”?
Raksha Bandhan is a Sanskrit term that translates to “bond of protection” and rakhi means “the tie, or knot of protection.”
Siblings celebrate their special relationship with each other by tying a rakhi (a knot/bracelet) around the brother’s right wrist. This is to signify the sister’s bond with and support of her brother. In exchange, the sister receives her brother’s promise of protection; this is often accompanied by a gift. After the gift has been exchanged, the sister feeds her brother his favorite Indian sweets, such as ladoos, jalebis, phirni, kaju katli, or gulab jamun.
When is it celebrated? It is celebrated annually when there is a full moon in the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shravan, which is usually in August. The date is always changing based on when the full moon occurs.
What are the historical origins of Rakhi?
The legend of Rani Karnaavati and Emperor Humayun is closely tied to Rakhi. After Queen Karnavati’s husband—King Rana Sanga— died, she ruled over Mewar. When Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attacked Mewar for the second time, Queen Karnavati began looking for support from other kingdoms. She wrote to Emperor Humayun for help, sending him a rakhi and asking for his protection. He did go to Mewar to help but unfortunately did not make it in time.
Another story that dates back to 300 BC is when Alexander the Great was ready to conquer to India. His wife, Roxana, was worried for his safety, for she knew he would have to battle Porus, the King of the Pauravas. Roxana sent a rakhi to King Porus, asking him not to hurt her husband on the battlefield. At one point during the Battle of the Hydaspes River, King Porus noticed the rakhi on his wrist and was reminded of his promise to Roxana. He then stopped himself from attacking Alexander. Though King Porus lost the battle, he won Alexander’s respect. Afterward, Alexander reinstated Porus as the governor of what had been his kingdom.
How does my family celebrate Rakhi?
My family celebrates by hosting a Rakhi dinner. We serve a traditional Indian meal, and we have family and friends come over. These are all special people in our lives that allow us to feel safe, secure, and protected. We dress up in Indian clothes, play our favorite Bollywood music, tie rakhis, exchange gifts, eat delicious food, and indulge in amazing Indian sweets!
It is definitely a special day and we are grateful for these special relationships in our lives!
How is the celebration changing today?
Today, Rakhi is an inclusive celebration of authentic and meaningful relationships. The celebration transcends family ties and honors all the family and friends that we are grateful for.
Traditionally, the rakhi was tied only by sisters to brothers. But as times have changed, we are finding new ways to celebrate and keep Raksha Bandhan as a part of our rich cultural heritage. Nowadays, siblings of the same gender may tie rakhis to one another, younger siblings may tie rakhis to older siblings, and an only child may tie rakhis to cousins or friends with whom they share a close bond. Many children also mail rakhis to those who don’t live nearby.
By keeping in touch in this way, children can honor the special relationships they have with one another even though they may live far apart. Allowing Rakhi traditions to change with the times ensures that the children of future generations will continue to celebrate it, knowing that they are safe, that they will be protected, and that they have many allies—both near and far—to support them in times of need.
Let’s use this special day to appreciate the people in our lives who have always been there for us, through thick and thin. Happy Rakhi!
2 Signed Copies of Shanti and the Knot of Protection GIVEAWAY!
We are giving away two signed copies of Shanti and the Knot of Protection: A Rahki Story. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. We can only mail to U.S. and A.F.O. addresses.
Dr. Amita Roy Shah enjoys teaching children about South Asian American cultures, emotional intelligence (EQ), and cultural intelligence (CQ). She has spent her career in multicultural education, social and emotional learning, and curriculum development. She is a professor at San Jose State University and the founder of Social Edge, a company dedicated to meeting the needs of social, emotional, and cultural needs of all children.
She is also the author of It’s Time for Holi! and Lights, Camera, Diwali! Her children’s books have won awards for creating memorable content that enhances the gift of learning. They have also been featured at museums across the United States, and recommended by various media publications and journals for highlighting issues of cultural authenticity.
p.s. Related posts:
Raksha Bandhan with Boxing Champion Vaibhav Yadav
Raksha Badhan Multicultural Picture Book Club GIVEAWAY!
Children’s Books on Holi, the Hindu Spring Festival
Diwali and Hannukah Picture Book of the Day
Books for Kids and Teens to Learn About Indian Culture
Hindi Nursery Rhyme Videos to Teach Kids Indian Culture
South Asian-American Picture Books of Joy
Top 10: Best South Asian American Children’s Books (ages 2-14)
Bangladesh: Culture, Alpanas, Children’s Books, Recipe and More!
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My books:
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Thank you for these titles!
Thank you for these titles to help children explore celebrations together!
Excited to share this book with my children’s cousins for our next Rakhi!