Raksha Bandhan 2027रक्षा बंधन
Raksha Bandhan 2027 is on Tuesday, August 17, 2027. The story of Krishna and Draupadi, how the rakhi is tied, the aparahna muhurat and why Bhadra is avoided.
Never miss a festival or vrat
One email each Sunday: the week’s festivals and vrats, with dates verified for your region. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
The story of Raksha Bandhan
When Krishna cut his finger on the Sudarshana chakra, Draupadi tore a strip from her own sari and bound the wound without a moment’s thought. Krishna promised to repay every thread. Years later, when she was dragged into the Kaurava court and her honour was being pulled from her, it was that debt he paid, in cloth without end. Raksha Bandhan is that promise: a thread given in love, and a protection that arrives when it is needed most.
Older still is the rakhi of Yamuna to Yama, from which the brother gained deathlessness, and the sutra of Indrani tied on Indra’s wrist before battle. The festival falls on the Shravana Purnima, the same full moon on which the twice born change the janeu and the coastal west offers a coconut to the sea. Today the thread crosses far more than blood: it is tied on soldiers, on trees, and on any hand that has offered protection.
How Raksha Bandhan is celebrated
| The thali | roli, akshat, a diya, sweets and the rakhi are arranged; the sister does aarti and applies the tilak. |
| The tying | the rakhi is tied on the right wrist with a prayer for long life, in the aparahna window, avoiding Bhadra. |
| The vow | sweets are shared and the brother gives a gift and the promise of protection. |
| Distance | where families are apart, rakhis are posted weeks ahead and the tying is done over a video call at the muhurat. |
Maharashtra and the coastal west keep the same day as Narali Purnima, offering coconuts to the sea; the South keeps Avani Avittam, when the janeu is changed; and Rajasthan ties Lumba rakhi on the bhabhi as well, since the household is protected together.
Raksha Bandhan checklist: what to arrange in advance
The non-perishable samagri you can order ahead of the day. Each link opens an Amazon search for that item in your own country’s store.
Fresh items, flowers, fruit, sweets and leaves, are best bought from your local market on the day.
As an Amazon Associate, Bhakti Angan earns from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
When is Raksha Bandhan in 2027?
Raksha Bandhan is on Tuesday, August 17, 2027, the Purnima of Shravana.
What is the rakhi muhurat and what is Bhadra?
The rakhi is tied in the aparahna (afternoon) window and never during Bhadra, a period held inauspicious for it. Both depend on your city and the year, so check the daily Panchang for your local timing.
What is the story behind Raksha Bandhan?
Draupadi bound Krishna’s bleeding finger with cloth torn from her sari, and he repaid that thread in the Kaurava court with cloth without end. Yamuna also tied a rakhi on Yama, who granted her brother deathlessness.
Can rakhi be tied to someone who is not a brother?
Yes. The thread is a bond of protection, not only of birth: it is tied on cousins, friends, soldiers, teachers and even trees, wherever protection is asked for or has been given.
Put the countdown on your home screen. The free Bhakti Angan widget counts down to every festival, with dates verified for your region, plus the daily Panchang, darshan and japa counter.
Dates are verified against authoritative Panchang sources (Drik Panchang, New Delhi). Traditions vary by family and region; for muhurat and puja vidhi please also consult your family panditji.