A festival that brings siblings together and is a reminder of the bond they share is Rakshabandhan, which falls on August 10. Bangaloreans talk about their plans for the festival and the special bond they share with their siblings.
Ganga Padmeshwari, a homemaker who hails from Patna, has been in the City for almost two decades. She says that the celebrations here are nothing compared to how they are back home. “It’s grand back home. The sister is treated like a queen that day and showered with gifts. The day is mainly about spending time together and eating a lot. Many traditional sweets like motichoor ka ladoo, gaja, kaju katli, kala jamun and peda are made,” says Ganga.
She adds, “The day starts with the girls putting a tika on their brother’s forehead and tying the rakhi on his wrist. Post this, he is given a lot of sweets. This is followed by the gifting session.” Ganga adds that earlier, mostly money used to be given. But now, costlier and fancier items like jewellery, dresses and gadgets are given.
Payal Jain, who hails from Rajasthan, is glad that her brother Jayant, lives with her now.
“Rakshabandhan will be more special this time since my brother is here. When we were kids, we didn’t know the value of the day. But as we grew up, we realised its importance,” says Payal. She adds that back home, they would all gather at one house and decorate it. They would also decorate the thali. “The whole family would come together on this day.”