2026 Raksha Bandhan · Mumbai

Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival of the protective thread, when sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers' wrists on Shravana Purnima, the full moon of Shravana. In 2026 it was celebrated on Friday, 28 August, in the morning before Purnima ended, because Bhadra covered the previous afternoon.

When is Raksha Bandhan in 2026, 2027 and 2028?

Rakhi is tied on Shravana Purnima, ideally in the afternoon (aparahna) and never during Bhadra, the inauspicious first half of the tithi. When Bhadra covers the first day's afternoon and Purnima lasts long enough into the next morning, the festival moves to that next morning.

Dates are for Mumbai (IST). In each of these years Purnima begins during the day before and Bhadra covers that afternoon, so rakhi is tied on the listed day from sunrise until Purnima ends, which is in the morning or around midday. Check the live times for your city above.

Significance and story

The word raksha means protection and bandhan means a bond. The rakhi is a simple thread, but it carries a promise: the sister prays for her brother's wellbeing, and the brother pledges to stand by her. Today the festival is just as often shared between cousins, close friends and sisters, and some tie rakhis on soldiers, neighbours or trees as a sign of care.

Indra and Shachi

One of the oldest accounts comes from the Puranas. When the gods were losing a long war against the demons, Indra's wife Shachi (Indrani) received a sacred thread, empowered with prayers, and tied it on Indra's wrist on Shravana Purnima. Protected by it, Indra went on to win. In this story the thread is tied by a wife, which shows the ritual began as a blessing of protection for anyone going into danger.

Krishna and Draupadi

In a story from the Mahabharata tradition, Krishna cut his finger, and Draupadi immediately tore a strip from her sari to bind the wound. Krishna promised to repay the kindness, and he did so years later when he protected her honour in the Kaurava court. Many families tell this story to explain the brother's promise.

Lakshmi and King Bali

Vishnu had gone to live with the generous demon king Bali as his guardian, leaving Lakshmi alone. She visited Bali on Shravana Purnima, tied a thread on his wrist and, when he offered her a gift, asked for her husband's return. Bali kept his word. The traditional rakhi mantra, "Yena baddho Bali raja", recalls this tie.

Why Bhadra is avoided

Bhadra, also called Vishti Karana, covers roughly the first half of Purnima. Panchangs advise against any auspicious work in it, including tying rakhi. That is why the date sometimes falls on the day after Purnima begins.

How to tie a rakhi (vidhi)

1. Confirm that Bhadra has ended in your city. The live calculator above shows the Purnima window.
2. Prepare a thali with the rakhi, roli or kumkum, a few grains of unbroken rice, a small diya, sweets, and some water in a small pot.
3. Brother and sister bathe and dress in fresh clothes. Many families first offer the rakhi to their family deity or to Ganesha.
4. The brother sits facing east, often with a handkerchief or cap on his head. The sister faces him.
5. The sister applies a tilak of roli on his forehead and presses a few grains of rice onto it.
6. She ties the rakhi on his right wrist, reciting the traditional mantra or a simple prayer for his long life and success.
7. She waves the lit diya in an aarti and feeds him a sweet.
8. The brother gives a gift or money and promises to protect and support her. Younger siblings then touch the feet of elders for blessings.

Regional variations

• North India: The best-known form, with the festive thali, new clothes, family visits and boxes of sweets exchanged across cities.
• Maharashtra, Goa and coastal Karnataka: Fishing communities celebrate Narali Purnima, offering coconuts to the sea to thank the sea god and mark the start of the fishing season after the monsoon.
• South India: Many Brahmin families observe Avani Avittam or Upakarma, replacing the sacred thread (janeu or poonal) with Vedic chanting.
• West Bengal and Odisha: The day is Jhulan Purnima, the end of the swing festival of Radha and Krishna, and Odisha also marks Gamha Purnima, honouring cattle.
• Central India: Kajari Purnima is kept by farming families and mothers, with prayers for a good crop and for their children's wellbeing.
• Uttarakhand: In Kumaon the day is Janopunyu, when men change their sacred thread.

Frequently asked questions

Updated on 16 October 2026. Dates are calculated for Mumbai (IST); the calculator above gives timings for your city.