by Arun Pathak
Bokaro: The festival of Rakshabandhan — a timeless celebration of love, care, and the unbreakable bond between brothers and sisters — lit up Bokaro and its surrounding areas on Saturday with traditional fervour and heartfelt joy.
From early morning, streets and markets were abuzz with colour. Sisters, draped in vibrant traditional attire, carried beautifully decorated aarti thalis, their faces glowing with excitement.
The ritual was performed with devotion — sisters applied tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, performed aarti, tied the sacred thread of protection (rakhi) around their wrists, and fed them sweets. In return, brothers showered their sisters with blessings, gifts, and promises of lifelong protection.
Preparations for the festival had been underway for days. Markets saw brisk sales of rakhis in all varieties — from handcrafted traditional designs to trendy, designer ones adorned with beads, stones, and even cartoon characters for children. Sweet shops did brisk business as laddu, barfi, and soan papdi became the day’s bestsellers.
While sisters with brothers living nearby enjoyed the warmth of in-person celebrations, many who were separated by distance found creative ways to bridge the gap. Rakhis were sent through post and courier services well in advance, while the tech-savvy took to the digital route — ordering rakhis and sweets online, ensuring the bond was celebrated despite miles in between.
Local community groups and social organisations also marked the occasion by visiting orphanages and old-age homes, tying rakhis to children and elders, spreading the message that the spirit of Rakshabandhan goes beyond blood relations and embraces universal brotherhood.
With laughter, gifts, and heartfelt promises, Bokaro’s Rakshabandhan celebrations reflected not just tradition, but also the evolving ways families stay connected in the modern age.
