HinduCalendar.in New Delhi

Raksha Bandhan

Also called Rakhi, Rakhi Purnima

When

Friday, 28 August 2026 tomorrow

New Delhi ยท change location

Sunrise6:00 AM
Sunset6:43 PM
Purnima until 9:48 AM
at sunrise. This observance is governed by aparahna, not by the sunrise tithi โ€” which is why the tithi named here is often not the one the festival is named for.
Shatabhisha until 3:13 AM, Aug 29
10:46 AM โ€“ 12:22 PM

See the complete panchang for that day โ†’

Governed by

Why this date?

The Purnima of Shravana, with the tying done in the APARAHNA โ€” the afternoon โ€” and specifically NOT during Bhadra. Bhadra-vyapti over the morning is why the auspicious window for tying is so often published as starting in the early afternoon rather than at sunrise.

  • Computed by the panchanga engine for your location
  • Follows a written selection rule, not a copied list
  • The governing period is stated, and the rule is applied to it
  • The written guide has not yet been reviewed by a named scholar

Dates come from the calculation engine and are independent of the written guide. How we calculate โ†’

Dates in the coming years

Published to 2030. Later years appear as the dataset is extended and validated.

What In short

A sister ties a thread on her brother's wrist; he undertakes her protection. On the same Purnima, brahmins of several regions perform the annual Upakarma โ€” the changing of the sacred thread.

Why The reason behind it

The thread is a raksha โ€” a protection โ€” and the older form of the rite is not sibling-specific: a priest tying a raksha on a patron, or a wife on a husband before a journey. The brother-sister form is the one that has become dominant, and it carries a real social meaning about a woman's claim on her natal family.

Traditional basis

Bhavishya Purana โ€” Carries the raksha-bandhana rite and the mantra used when tying.

Grihya Sutras on Upakarma โ€” Establish the Shravana Purnima annual renewal of the sacred thread.

How At home, step by step

  1. Wait for the Bhadra period to end โ€” the site shows the window; tying during Bhadra is specifically avoided.
  2. The sister prepares a thali: rakhi, roli, rice, a lamp and sweets.
  3. She performs aarti, applies the tilak, ties the rakhi on the right wrist, and feeds him a sweet.
  4. The brother gives a gift and the undertaking of protection.
  5. Where the household keeps Upakarma, the men of the family perform the thread-changing in the morning.
What you'll need
  • Rakhi thread
  • Roli and unbroken rice (akshata)
  • A ghee lamp for aarti
  • Sweets
Fasting and breaking the fast

Some sisters fast until the rakhi is tied. Not a general fasting day.

Fasting guidance here describes traditional practice. It is not medical advice โ€” if you are pregnant, diabetic, on medication or unwell, ask a doctor about your own circumstances.

Personal In your region

For children

Sisters tie a thread on their brother's wrist and he promises to look after them. The thread is called a raksha, which just means 'protection'.

Common questions

Why can't we tie the rakhi in the morning?
Usually because Bhadra is running. Bhadra (the Vishti karana) is held unfit for this rite, and on many Shravana Purnimas it covers the morning. The site shows the actual window for your location rather than a generic 'auspicious all day'.

Not the same day

These fall nearby or share the tithi, and are often confused with this observance. They are separate, and this site dates them separately.

This guide has not yet been reviewed by a named scholar or practising priest. The dates and times on this page come from the calculation engine and are independent of it; the explanatory text is editorial and may not reflect your family's practice. Tell us if something is wrong.