Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c27.s3.t1.37

v2.c27.s3.t1.37

The Rākhi Festival.—This festival, which is held on the last day of Sawan, was instituted in honour of the good genii, when Durvasas the sage instructed Salono (the genius or nymph presiding over the month of Sawan) to bind on rakhis, or bracelets, as charms to avert evil. The ministers of religion and females alone are privileged to bestow these charmed wrist-bands. The ladies of Rajasthan, either by their handmaids or the family priests, send a bracelet as the token of their esteem to such as they adopt as brothers, who return gifts in acknowledgement of the honour. The claims thus acquired by the fair are far stronger than those of consanguinity : for illustration of which I may refer to an incident already related in the annals of this house.¹ Sisters also present their brothers with clothes on this day, who make an offering of gold in return.²