Raksha Bandhan, or Rakhi as it is popularly called, falls on Sunday, 26 August this year.
The festival is celebrated annually on the full moon day or Purnima of the Shravana month of the Hindu calendar. Rakhi celebrates the bond between brother and sister and is celebrated by Hindus and Jains in India, Nepal and Mauritius, among other countries.
On this day, sisters tie threads around the wrists of their brothers as testament to their love. Brothers promise to protect the sisters in return.
The festival dates back several years and has several legends associated with it.
Auspicious Muhurat for Raksha Bandhan 2018
According to drikPanchang, the best time to tie rakhi is during the Aparahna or the Pradosh kaal. This year, the muhurat timings on 26 August are:
Raksha Bandhan Thread Ceremony Time: 06:17 to 17:25
Duration: 11 Hours 8 Mins
Aparahan Time Raksha Bandhan Muhurat: 13:37 to 16:03
Duration: 2 Hours 26 Mins