President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday greeted citizens on the eve of Raksha Bandhan saying, all people should dedicate themselves towards ensuring safety of women. In a message, the President said, "all people should dedicate themselves towards ensuring safety of women by increasing their participation in nation-building." The auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated this year on August 22. The much-awaited festival dedicated to all brothers and sisters is widely celebrated in India. The pattern of performing the ritual may vary from region-to-region, but the principles remain the same.
Raksha Bandhan has its roots in a popular incident described in the epic, Mahabharata. Once Lord Krishna was flying a kite and cut one of his fingers with the thread. Then Draupadi tore a piece from her saree and tied it on Krishna's finger to stop the bleeding. Moved by the gesture, Krishna promised her that he will protect her from all evils throughout his life. But the auspicious time for tying the rakhi will begin at 6:15 AM on August 22 and continue till 5:31 PM the same evening.