Rakhi is an exceptional occasion that is celebrated every year, in August, on Shravan Purnima day. This year Raksha Bandhan falls on August 13, 2011. Rakhi is one of the very significant festivals of India. It is celebrated all over the country but the ways of celebrations differ region to region. The name of this festival also transforms as soon as one enters into a new area. For example few of the names are the 'Vish Taadak' (destroyer of poison), the 'Punya Pradaayak' (bestower of boons), and the 'Paap Naashak' (destroyer of sins).

How to Celebrate Rakhi
A woman ties a “rakhi” on her brother's right wrist, to look after him from evil manipulation and those aspects which may foul his spirit, and to fortify the bond of eternal love between them. She goes to her brother and performs the rituals by smearing on kumkum and rice particles on his forehead. In return the brother gives her an endowment and pledges to shield her too.

The 'rakhi' itself arrays from a decorated strand to elegantly ornamented balls of assorted sizes and materials such as feathery fiber, glitters, gold, silver beads and so on. Sweets symbolize the sugary moments between the brothers and sisters and on this day all kinds of sweets are prepared.

On this day, priests also fasten the rakhis on their clients and in return accept contributions from them. In several parts of the country it is usual to sketch figures on the walls of their abode and worship them with offerings of vermilion and kheer. A few parts of India also keep this day for the blessed thread changing service, when the boys abandon the previous one and slip on a new one ritualistically. However it is the emblematic never-ending union between brothers and sisters that cements ties between them even across continents, which has the most importance on this propitious day.

Importance of Rakhi
Rakhi is an implicit assurance exchanged between a brother and sister strengthening their persistent relationship. This also supports their protective attachment against all evils and chances. Rituals like these, undoubtedly, ease out various communal strains, stimulate empathy, unfasten outlets of expression, and present an occasion to revise our responsibility as individual, most notably, fetch happiness in our humdrum lives.

This protective bond symbolized by Rakhi has resulted in immeasurable opinionated ties among monarchies and states. The leaves of Indian history give evidence that the Maratha and the Rajput queens have sent Rakhis even to Mughal kings who, despite their differences, have assuaged their Rakhi-sisters by rendering aid and fortification at vital instants and respected the everlasting bond. Even nuptial alliances have been established between kingdoms through the exchange of Rakhis.

For more information on Rakhi, Rakhi Origins, The History of Raksha bandhan, Raksha Bandhan celebrations in India Visit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakhi