Raksha Bandhan

Today we celebrated Raksha Bandhan. The festival is a Hindu festival that celebrates the special relationship between brothers and sisters and is quite commonly celebrated through out India. Technically, yesterday (Saturday, August 16th) was the day to celebrate, but do to logistical reasons, Udayan Care chose today to mark the occasion.

All of the Udayan Care Homes met up at Indraprastha Park in New Delhi and the afternoon was filled with fun, food and festival. Traditionally, sisters tie Rakhis, or holy threads and bracelets, on the wrist of her brother and the brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her confirming his love and affection. It isn’t necessary for the “brother” and “sister” to be actually related and there is quite a bit of exchanging that takes place between good friends as well.

Thus, we festivaled. There was much bracelet tying, and sweets consumption as well as just intermingling and getting to know one another since it is not a common occurance for the Homes to be able to get together. We were quite the big, happy family. Following the tying and vowing was a huge picnic and a chance just to enjoy what was a gorgeous day (well, until a thunderstorm rolled in and we all fled for our rides home).

Today was the third day in a row now that the boys haven’t had school and they have definitely been busy days indeed. I am so glad that this weekend worked out the way it did and I really feel this was a perfect weekend at the perfect time. Not only did I get some quality time with the boys the last few days, but I also was able to spend some good time with them outside of the Home setting and with the larger Udayan community. I’d love to say that I planned it all to work out this way and such, but nope. This all fell together under the guidance of One who understands much better what it is that I truly needed to close out my time here well (and to think I still get another week to boot!).