Raksha Bandhan 2011
Raksha Bandhan, on Shravana Purnima, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. The thread (rakhi) is traditionally tied when Purnima prevails and Bhadra has passed.
In 2011, Raksha Bandhan is on Saturday, 13 August 2011.
- Rakhi muhurat: 13 Aug 2011, 12:03 PM to 7:02 PM
- Purnima begins: 12 Aug 2011, 11:45 PM
- Purnima ends: 14 Aug 2011, 12:27 AM
- Bhadra (avoid): 12 Aug 2011, 11:45 PM to 13 Aug 2011, 12:03 PM
Date and timings for New Delhi.
How the date is fixed
Raksha Bandhan falls on Purnima of Shravana. The day is decided by Shravana Purnima in the afternoon free of Bhadra; if Bhadra covers it, the next morning while Purnima lasts at least 2 hours 24 minutes after sunrise. When the tithi touches that time on two days, the day it covers more is used.
Calculated for New Delhi. Festival dates can differ by a day between cities and between regional traditions; your family priest's panchang has the final word.
How it is celebrated
Sisters perform aarti, apply tilak and tie a rakhi on their brothers' wrists; brothers give gifts and a promise of protection. The same day is Shravani Upakarma, when Brahmins change their sacred thread.
Want a personal reading of your chart? Talk to an experienced astrologer.
Frequently asked questions
When is Raksha Bandhan in 2011?
In 2011, Raksha Bandhan is on Saturday, 13 August 2011. (New Delhi)
Why do calendars sometimes show different dates for Raksha Bandhan?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar tithi, which begins and ends at different clock times. Each festival has a rule about which part of the day the tithi must cover — sunrise, midday, dusk or midnight. When the tithi straddles two days, calendars that apply the rule for a different city, or a different tradition, can land on different days. We show the rule we used and the tithi timings so you can check.