Jodhpur

The streets and markets of Jodhpur in Rajasthan were bustling on Sunday as an excited crowd, comprising mainly women and children, thronged the shops a day ahead of the festival of Raksha Bandhan which will be celebrated on Monday (August 19). 

On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a 'dhaga' (sacred thread) or amulet called the rakhi around the wrists of their brothers, who make a promise to protect their sisters and take care of them.

Raksha Bandhan, which means "the bond of protection, obligation and care", is celebrated on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shravan. The festival, which has been celebrated for ages, continues to hold a significant place in Indian culture despite the advent of the modern era.

In the markets of Jodhpur, rakhis of different designs have been stocked to attract the shoppers.

Shopkeepers had a line-up of special themed-rakhis to cheer up the children. A few of them included Doraemon, Motu Patlu, and Mickey Mouse-themed rakhis.

Women shoppers in most of the markets were seen busy purchasing rakhis and sweets for their brothers to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. With a smile on their faces and cheerful tone, they were "eagerly looking forward, like every year, to enjoy the special day by tying rakhi to their brother's wrist and spending time together".

Chanchal Tak, one of the shoppers, said: "This year, all the siblings in their family are planning to buy special sweets and celebrate the festival together."

Ganpat Lal, who put up a rakhi stall at his shop, said: "This year, special rakhis featuring cartoon characters like Motu Patlu and Doraemon have been put on display to attract the children. There are also rakhis with lights. For adults, we have rakhis featuring Ram Darbar, Thakur Ji Maharaj, Om, and Swastik symbols."

women tied Rakhi to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday in Madhya Pradesh's Sehore.

 "This love is the love of family, the love of brothers and sisters. This love creates the resolve that I should spend every moment of my life in the service of the people. Serving the people is the worship of God for me. Serving sisters is the worship of goddesses for me," Shivraj Singh Chouhan told reporters.

In Uttar Pradesh, the government made travel in the State run bus service free for women on the day.