Legends Of Raksha Bandhan

Indra and Indrani:

In the Vedic period, on a 'Shravan Poornima' day (Full Moon Day of the Hindu month of Shravan), the deities and the demons were fighting a battle against each other. Unfortunately the demons were in a stronger position as compared to the deities. The king of the deities, Lord Indra, was very much worried about the result of the battle. His wife Indrani (also known as Shashikala) could not see him worried and prayed to the almighty. Indrani was a religious lady so she prepared a Talisman with her religious power and tied it around Indra's right wrist. She believed that this Talisman will safeguard Indra from the attack made by the demons. She was actually right about her belief as that day the deities won the battle and Lord Indra escaped unhurt.

Yama and Yamuna:

Yamuna was the sister of Lord Yama, the God of death. On every "Shravan Purnima" Yamuna used to tie a sacred thread (Rakhi) to Lord Yama. Since then it has become a tradition for the sisters to tie Rakhi to their brothers on this day. And the brothers bestow blessings on their sisters.

King Bali and Goddess Laxmi:

According to the mythology Raja Bali was such a great devotee of Lord Vishnu that Lord Indra felt insecured and he prayed Vishnu to help him save his throne. Vishnu accepted Indra's prayer and overthrew Bali beneath the earth. When Bali asked Lord Vishnu about such treatment, Vishnu gave him boon of immortality and also promised to take care of his kingdom. To keep his promise Vishnu left his residence, 'Vaikunthdham' to safeguard Bali's kingdom. Then the Goddess Laxmi, wife of Lord Vishnu, went to Raja Bali as a poor brahmin lady and requested him for shelter. She regarded Bali as her brother and therefore tied a Rakhi on to him on the 'Shravan Poornima' day. When Bali wished to give her some present she told him her true story and also told him that she came here because Lord Vishnu is here to guard his kingdom. So if he can, he should send Lord Vishnu back to Vaikunthdham. Raja Bali immediately requested Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi to return.

King Porus and Alexander's wife:
The ancient history of India tells us that when Alexander the great came to India with a purpose to make India a part of his kingdom, he was resisted by the brave king Porus. Bravery of Porus led the wife of Alexander doubt the safety of her husband. Then the lady addressed Porus as her brother and thus became his sister. And a bond of Rakhi was established between them. That is why Porus never harmed Alexander.

Maharani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun:

In the Medieval Indian History the tale of Maharani Karnawati and the Mughal Emperor Humayun relates to the tradition of Rakhi. Maharani Karnawati was the queen of the Rajput Kingdom, Chittor, in Rajastan. When Chittor was threatened by Bahadur Shah of Mewar, the Maharani sent a Rakhi to Humayun, the Mughal Emperor of Delhi, and called him for help. Humayun was aware of the significance of Rakhi in the Hindu community so he immediately accepted her request to protect her. Nobody forced him to do so but he did so only out of his respect for the tradition of Rakhi.