New Delhi: It is a festival that tugs at the hearts of brothers and sisters alike. No matter where they are, how far apart, but on Raksha Bandhan day sisters and brothers celebrate their love for each other and the bond keeps getting stronger over the years.
With the festival on Wednesday, Jitin Gulati, 27, is busy selecting a "perfect" gift for his sister.
"It's been a ritual ever since we were kids. It always used to be a school holiday and we would get new clothes to wear on the occasion. My sister, who is younger to me, would tie me a Rakhi, but her sole aim was to see what gift I have got for her. Now, things are different," said a banker Gulati.
"Today, I try to gift her something that she desires and has been longing for a long time. For us it's no more about gifts, it's more about togetherness and our love for each other," he added.
Aditya Aggarwal will be travelling all the way from Noida to Gurgaon, around 35 km, to his sister's house to get the Rakhi thread tied to his wrist.
"After her marriage, she has shifted to Gurgaon. We normally talk on the phone as we hardly get time to meet each other. This is one of those days when it is mandatory to meet her, spend time with her and eat delicious 'kheer' prepared by her," Aggarwal said.
Raksha Bandhan, that coincides with the full moon in the month of Shravan according to the Indian calendar, celebrates the ties of love and protection between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a silken Rakhi thread symbolising the brother-sister bond on the wrist of their brothers, who in return gift them something.
Not everyone is lucky to have their brothers or sisters living nearby.
"I feel very lonely and homesick on this day. It's been three years in a row that I have not been able to tie Rakhi to my brother. I do speak to him and our mother ties him the Rakhi on my behalf, but it is not the same feeling. They live in Mumbai and it's really not possible to go there just for a day," said a Computer Engineer Student from Amity University, Palak Dhar.
The day would be a busy one for many as it is not a National holiday, and so some have planned to take a half day off on Wednesday in order to celebrate the festival.
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"We don't have a holiday. But I will be going to office only post-lunch. I will be meeting my sister for the Rakhi and finish the ritual before that. I also feel that the day should be made a public holiday because it is one of those rare days when you get to meet your sister, especially if she is married and living elsewhere," said a Media professional, Diwash Ghatraj.
For designer duo Parvesh-Jai, the day is meant to chill out sans their wives.
"We are planning a fun-filled Rakhi party with music and dance at one of our cousin's home in Gurgaon. They are arranging some sweets, lassi and mocktails, followed by traditional family dinner," Jai said.
"Our wives are going out of Delhi to tie Rakhi to their brothers, and as we don't have a sister we are free to chill out," he added.
With brothers and sisters zipping across the city to meet each other on Raksha Bandhan, one can expect heavy traffic on the roads.
"I still remember the horrible experience I had last year. I was stuck in a traffic jam for an hour. I had expected less traffic, it being a holiday. But it was just the opposite," recollects Shobit Sujoy, a software professional.
"It's best to leave early in order to reach your destination on time," he added.
On the special occasion, Delhi Transport Corporation has offered free travel to women commuters till 1700 hrs IST.
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