Today is Raksha Bandhan

Celebrate Raksha Bandhan on Tuesday 24th August 2010, a festival of bond between brothers and sisters.

Does Raksha Bandhan have a place in Sikhi? Some say 'No':
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/31976-today-is-raksha-bandhan.html
http://lakhvir.wordpress.com/2006/07/28/why-raksha-bandhan-has-no-place-in-sikhi/
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31976

Can we observe this day like we do Mother's Day or Father's Day and let there be a 'Sibling's Day' without association with Hindu relgious connection, or should Sikhs avoid Raksha Bandhan?

What are your thoughts? What's the general consensus of the Sangat?

 
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Ik jivan ji,

Raksha Bandhan is perfectly alright if it is for reinforcing strong bonds between brother and sister. It should not opposed just on the grounds of being a "Hindu" custom.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31976
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31976
Sikhi is against empty ritualism. You will find thousands of women going to Gurudwaras and tying rakhis to the palki of Guru Granth Sahib. It is this sort of ritualism that should be strongly discouraged.

Thank you Harbansj24 ji and happy Raksha Bandhan to you and all VeerJi around the world today!

Sat Sri Akal,

Rakhi has no place in Sikhism. If you had listened to the todays morning telelcast on Chardikala TV from Gurdwara Bangla Sahib,in which the lady katha vachak cleared the whole concept very clearly and urged all Sikhs to celebrate this as "Bhram torr diwas" or "lets break all these illusions and misunderstandings". Guru Sahib has clearly dictated that its only and only the AKALPURAKH himself who will be helping you when such a situation comes in ones life.

In India Rakhi is truly a woman's day.It is one of the worst night mare for a boy who has feeling for agirl and taht girl says that she want's to tie rakhi to him.Even today a Girl can tie Rakhi to a boy who is harrassing her.This is the festival that boys hate and girls love

Veer jeo,
You made us laugh like any thing. Really witty comments on Rakhi. But what are your Views whether Sikhism approves it or not.
Reagrds and Guru fateh

There is nothing wrong if one celebrate Rakhi as culutural festival.These days when families are getting away from each other these type of festivals Bring them closer

We are taught to treat all as our family. If we start differentiating between our immediate family and the world then we are doing the opposite of what the Guru's did. Rakhri enforces the idea that this is my family but you are an outsider.

Having said that, it can come in useful socially. I started tying a rakhi on my gujrati friend at university and so our friendship was looked on very favourably by others and I was well looked after during his wedding by his family!

Today I wished ‘Happy Raksha Bandhan’ to all my brothers AND sisters familiar with the custom and took the time to discuss the history, traditional meaning and the current value it possesses with Sikh friends.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31976
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31976

Perhaps I have adapted it a little to suit the times and culture of my environment, as well as my intentions. After all, women can be found to protect, defend and nurture as often and as effectively as men. And as Kanwardeep Singh ji pointed out, this is a great day for young ladies to elevate the thoughts of the young men in their lives.

As a confirmation of gender equality and mutual respect, honour and chivalry, I think the tradition of Raksha Bandhan is acceptable, for now. I have Punjabi Sikh friends who still maintain the tradition. Rejecting it outright would drive a wedge between myself and them and reinforce the power that ‘blood ties’ already have over Sikhs with Hindu origins. I decided, instead, to use open and friendly discussion about Raksha Bandhan to encourage the Sikh principles of universal brotherly love and gender equality.


Chardi Kala!
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Raksha Bandhan in the traditional sense of a brother vowing to keep a sisters' honour intact is a bit less appealing in term of Sikhism where both male & female are treated as equals . Females are in no way inferior to males when it comes to saving oneself's honour . But in general it is a mood of family get together bonding between brother & sister , a sweet poison if you can say in terms if you wish to live the Gurmat way of life . Make it sure that the sweet never turns poison ( the Brahministic tendencies get better of you )