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Although Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on one particular day, various questions regarding the removal and disposal of the Rakhi tied during the festival are raised. There are quite a few beliefs in connection with those questions, and we’ll try to provide answers on what should be done according to those beliefs.
How Long Should You Wear The Rakhi?
There is a widespread opinion that the rakhi should be worn until it breaks or wears out by itself. But most people prefer to remove it after a particular amount of time, usually 24 hours. Other people take the next bath as an occasion to remove their Rakhi and dispose of it properly.
The Right Way To Remove It
It is believed that the Rakhi shouldn’t be simply thrown away in the dustbin. This is because of the belief that the Rakhi is a sacred thread which should be treated accordingly. One of the most widespread rituals related to disposing of the Rakhi includes immersing it in the river or another water body, similarly to other holy objects. Another method of disposing of the Rakhi includes hanging it by the tulsi plant or at the tree.
What Not To Do
There are some actions which are considered to be inappropriate concerning the old Rakhi. They include carelessness towards the object, as well as keeping it around the house for too long after it fulfilled its purpose. Moreover, wearing a torn or worn out Rakhi is considered to be unlucky, and the Rakhi should be removed or replaced at once.
Meaningful Thread
Though practices connected with the disposal of the rakhi may vary greatly from family to family and region to region, there is a common approach to these actions. The Rakhi is perceived as a thread which isn’t only decorated, but also is supposed to give protection to its bearer.
Khushi Patel is a Senior Sub Editor at NewsX, covering automotive, technology, Lifestyle, entertainment, and mainstream news. She previously worked as a Copy Editor at Times Network and has written automotive editorial content, including comparison pieces, for TimesDrive.
