Rakshabandhan celebrations perk up Hyderabad city dwellers

 Hyderabad: The city on Wednesday noon exploded into a festive mode, with women and their brothers rejoicing in the joys of their relationship on the occasion of Rakshabandhan, confusion over the dates notwithstanding.

Sweet shops swelled with customers, as markets and special stalls were abuzz with cheerful women flocking to buy rakhis.

Vendors said that business was brisk as they brought in multiple varieties of colourful wrist threads, to keep up with the latest fashion trends but also comply with the traditions.

Jyothi Nawani, a resident of Sainikpuri, said that her brother Satish Kumar was in Delhi for a trip, but took extra effort to reach Hyderabad and get the rakhi tied.

Rajesh, a resident of Malakpet, said: “Both my sisters, Kokila and Sadhana, live in Bengaluru, but Rakshabandhan is an occasion that we connect on. I wait for their rakhis on that day, which comes through post. Despite being far off, the bonding and the feeling what his thread conveys is unexplainable.”

Vedic scholars and priests, meanwhile, said it was acceptable to celebrate the festival on Wednesday and Thursday.

M. Lakshmi Narasimha Acharyulu, head priest at the Birla Temple, said: “In the traditional panchangam (calendar), the tithi (day) prevailing during sunrise can extend to the entire day.”

The Chaturdasi ended at 10.58 am of August 30 and then Pournami began, and will continue up to 7.05 am of Thursday. But the celebrations can take place for the whole day, other pundits averred.

The Governor and Chief Minister also extended their greetings to the people of the state.

Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan said, “I wish all the people of Telangana a very happy Rakshabandhan festival. It symbolises the great Indian tradition of the eternal bond between brothers and sisters. I wish that the thread of love will bind the hearts and lives of all brothers and sisters and make their immortal bond of togetherness stronger. All the brothers shall shower their sisters with lots of affection, care, and protection on this auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan out of love. The rakhi that is tied on the wrist of brothers is a sublime symbol of ‘raksha (protection)’ for the sisters.”

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao wished the people on Rakshabandhan, saying it symbolises the bond of love between brothers and sisters. “It is said that the festival of Rakhi signifies the height of family ties, blood ties and the essence of human relations. Rakhi festival is a platform for Indian culture and philosophy of life that we have a special culture that considers Rakhi a protective bond. Sisters and brothers wish to protect one another by tying rakhis.”