Shravana Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) श्रावण पूर्णिमा (रक्षाबन्धन)
Shravana • Purnima
Also known as: Rakhi Purnima, Upakarma, Avani Avittam, Narali Purnima
Story — Significance of Shravana Purnima (Raksha Bandhan)
Sisters tie a sacred thread (rakhi) on brothers' wrists for protection. Brahmins change their sacred thread (yajnopaveet) — Upakarma. In Maharashtra, fishermen observe Narali Purnima offering coconut to the sea.
Benefit
Sibling bond; protective blessings; renewal of dharma vows (Upakarma)
Special Note
Multiple regional observances on the same day. Avoid Bhadra Kaal for tying rakhi — see specific muhurat for the year.
Vrat Vidhi (Procedure)
-
1
Pre-Sunrise Bath
Wake before sunrise. Take a holy bath — ideally in a sacred river, otherwise add Ganga jal to water. Wear clean white or yellow clothes.
-
2
Satyanarayan Vrat (most common)
Setup a kalash, Vishnu/Satyanarayan murti or photo. Offer panchamrit, banana, panchamrit prasad (banana-flour-jaggery-ghee mix). Recite the 5 chapters of Satyanarayan Katha. Distribute prasad.
-
3
Day Observance
Maintain saatvik food. No grains in some traditions; others permit one full meal. Visit a temple, give donations, feed Brahmins. Practice Vishnu Sahasranama or naam-japa.
-
4
Moonlight Offering
After moonrise, offer arghya (water libation) to the Moon. Place kheer or sweet rice in moonlight to absorb lunar nectar (especially on Sharad Purnima). View the moon with reverence — Purnima is the day to gaze at the Moon as a deity.
-
5
Charity
Donate white items: rice, milk, sugar, white cloth, silver. Feed cows. Light lamps in temple — 108 lamps is especially meritorious.
Mantras
Browse all Purnima dates for the year: