The Story Behind Raksha Bandhan - Floral India

Raksha Bandhan, meaning "Knot of Protection" is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus throughout the world. The festival stands for the beautiful relationship shared between brothers and sisters. A lifelong promise of protection is made on this special occasion. It exhibits the beautiful relationship of love, care and affection between siblings.

History
Raksha Bandhan, also called Rakhi Purnima or just Rakhi, has deep rooted historical significance. There are various stories linked with the past mythology of the hindu religion. People believe and follow different stories from the past. The most famous and relied upon story of them all is that of Rani Karnavati of Chittor and the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Rani Karnawati was the widowed queen of Chittor, which had been attacked by Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat. The queen realized that defending her empire from the invasion was not possible for her and in lieu of protection and help, she sent a Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor, Humayun. On receiving the rakhi, the Emperor was overwhelmed and became emotional. He, along with his troops, immediately set out to protect Chittor from the invasion. Alas, he could not reach on time. The Sultan of Gujarat had, by then, reached the queen`s fortress. All the women, in the fortress including Rani Karnawati had performed Jauhar (mass suicide) by then. Humayun, on reaching the fortress, fought with Bahadur Shah and evicted him from the land. The empire was handed over to Rani Karnawati`s son, Vikramjeet Singh. Since then, the act of a sister tying a rakhi on the wrist of her brother indicates lifelong protection from him.

Significance
Raksha Bandhan is a beautiful Hindu festival where sisters dress up beautifully in order to celebrate this special occasion with their brothers. Sisters also pray for a prosperous future and a long life for their brothers. Rakhi holds great emotional and religious significance. The festival keeps the deep rooted culture of the country alive, strengthens the relationship of siblings and ensures togetherness.

Celebrations
The festival of Raksha Bandhan, brings the entire family together. The day starts with everyone dressing up beautifully in traditional attires. Sweets, chocolates and other regional specialties are brought. The sister ties a rakhi on her brother`s wrist and performs aarti, praying for his well-being and then sweetens his mouth with a delicacy. Brothers in return give gifts to their sisters to express their love.

Perfect gifts for brothers and sisters
Nowadays, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with exchange of gifts unlike the old days when money was handed over to the sister as a token of love. Here are some amazing ideas of gifts you can surprise your brother and sister with, on Rakhi.

Gifts for Brothers:

Watch: 

Very much in fashion; since the occasion is rakhi, what could be better than a watch for your brother`s wrist?

Gadget:Since guys are quite tech savvy, a gadget, maybe a new phone, MP3, tab, etc. will be a great option. It`ll surely bring a smile to your brother`s face.

 Perfumes: Men and women both are equally crazy about perfumes. So, a nice perfume is also a great option this rakhi.

Chocolates: chocolates are liked by people of all age groups, so whether your brother is young or old, chocolates will remain an all-time favorite.

Gifts for Sisters

Jewellery: A girl`s best friend! Jewellery is one of the most loved things by any girl. Go for it, without a second thought.

 Bag: Bags are again a great option. Girls go gaga over handbags, so getting your sister a bag will definitely fetch you a smile.

 Vouchers: Girls, being shopaholics, will love a gift/discount voucher from which they can shop as they desire.

 These are just a few ideas to ease your search. The value of any gift is seen by the intention with which it is given, so no matter what you get, your brother or sister will love you anyway. AstroYogi.com wishes all a happy and memorable Raksha Bandhan!

Rakhi: The thread that binds, protects

Greetings of the day to one and all! Let’s observe the words closely before proceeding further. ‘Raksha’ means to protect, ‘Bandhan’ means bond. So it is a bond between a brother and his sister where the brother vows to take care of his sister(s) come what may. India as we know has a rich cultural heritage. Raksha Bandhan is one of the most joyous festivals celebrated all over India as a mark of respect for the brother-sister relationship. The day begins with puja and the sister ties a rakhi, a colourful thread, on the wrist of her brother and blesses him with long life and happiness. In turn the brother blesses the sister and vows to take care of her throughout her life, which amazingly stretches beyond her marriage too. The thread draws a connection through and through and ties the siblings in infinite love that knows no boundaries. It is a strange phenomenon where a sister takes for granted that she will have a protected life in the presence of her brother. And surprisingly, the brother too takes it on himself to be responsible for his sister and her doings

A sibling may be the keeper of one’s identity, the only person with the keys to one’s unfettered, more fundamental self. Traditionally, Raksha Bandhan is a festival to celebrate the brother-sister relationship. But according to history, the significance of rakhi is not limited to only brothers and sisters. It served as a bond of protection and could be tied by wife, mother or daughter. Rishis also used to tie rakhi to people who came for their blessings. Some people also used to tie rakhi to their neighbours and friends to have a peaceful relationship. Rabindranath Tagore was the first person who popularised the Rakhi Utsav and promoted feeling of commitment and unity. So, Raksha Bandhan is a day to reaffirm faith in all forms of protection and is a destroyer of all sins. On this day, brothers and sisters try to visit each other personally and show their love towards each other. The day highlights the importance of siblings. The whole essence of celebrating the festival is to inculcate the importance of love and affection between brothers and sisters.

I am proud to be an Indian where the concept of joint family system is prevalent till date. The love showered on children by brothers/sisters/parents/grandparents is amazing and I have always felt very secure amidst my family. I strongly believe that they will stand by me through thick and thin and I know my brother will remain my guardian angel throughout my life. God bless all brothers!! Happy Raksha Bandhan to one and all. May this thread of love grow stronger each day.

Raksha Bandhan: The Bond of Love

Celebrated on the full moon day in the Hindu calendar month of Sharavan, Raksha Bandhan is one of the most widely celebrated festivals of India.

It is a day that symbolises the sacred relationship between a brother and sister. Literally translated, raksha means protection while bandhan means bond. Raksha Bandhan, therefore, signifies the bond of love out which comes a sense of security and protection.

On Raksha Bandhan, the sister ties a rakhi, comprising sacred threads, on her brother's wrist and performs an aarati . In return, the brother gives her a gift. The ritual is meant to signify their love and that both are looking out for each other. Today, the festival goes much beyond real brothers and sisters to any two individuals who enjoy a deep relationship. So you are likely to see a woman tie a rakhi to her cousins, neighbours and close friends.

Raksha Bandhan also has a great history. Various stories have been passed on indicating the origin of Raksha Bandhan. One of them draws its origin from the Mahabharata epic. Once, Lord Krishna hurt his hand while fighting Shishupala, a man who had committed several heinous acts. When this happened, Draupadi, the wife of the Pandava brothers, rushed to cover the wound by tearing a piece of her sari and tying it around Lord Krishna's hand. In return for her kind gesture, the Lord asked what she would like. Draupadi replied by saying she only desired His Divine presence at every moment of her life. From that moment on, Lord Krishna told Draupadi that He would be with her whenever she called out for Him. Much later, when the Kauravas tried to disrobe her in their court, helpless, she called out to Lord Krishna to save her. And in return, the Lord gave her a sari that was infinitely long. As a result, the Kauravas were unable to disrobe her and Draupadi was saved from being dishonored.

While the festival typically celebrates the relationship between brother and sister, it has a much deeper spiritual significance. When we take one step on the spiritual path, the Lord takes ninety-nine steps, as it were. This is the symbolism of Lord Krishna giving Draupadi an infinitely long sari in return for a protecting his wound with a small piece of cloth. At the absolute level, it is only when we give up our pathetic, finite egos that we are able to experience the joy of the Infinite.

Those who have embarked on the magical journey towards the Spirit experience not just and happiness and success but also an unmistakable sense of peace that the world cannot disturb. Thus Raksha Bandhan, like all other Indian festivals, is a call to the Divine Self within. So let us pledge, on this day, to commit ourselves to dedicating our actions to our goal of self-betterment, harbouring finer emotions and developing the clarity to see the permanence in and through the transience of the world

Changing Ways of Sending Rakhi

Traditional ways of Sending Rakhi

Some few years back, usually brothers & sisters used to stay in same city & used to celebrate rakhi together, because most people don't used to leave their home town for job n all.

But in recent scenario many people are moving in different cities or in different countries for jobs.

At that time, if brothers & sisters were not leaving in the same city, then sister used to send rakhi by following ways:

• Through Post
• Through Courier

For that prepare at least one week to 10 days ago.

• Go to the market
• Stand in a line (markets are full of rush at the time of festive occasions)
• Choose the Products you want from different shops (such as: Rakhi, Roli, Akshat, Gifts, Sweets, Dry Fruits, Chocolates, Packaging Material etc.)
• Then pack it all
• Go to the courier office
• Parcel it

Modern ways of Sending Rakhi

In the world of modern technique and one click work done it's yet not as hard as in past. Some simple steps to perform and that's it.

• Go to the Website www.floralindia.com
• Click the products you like
• Fill the required information
• Pay online

Rakhi Significance

The Traditional & Modern Ways:

Raksha Bandhan in Sanskrit literally means "the tie or knot of protection". The festival is also an occasion to celebrate brother-sister like family ties between cousins or distant family members, sometimes between biologically unrelated men and women. To many, the festival transcends biological family, brings together men and women across religions, diverse ethnic groups and ritually emphasizes harmony and love. It is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan,  and typically falls in August every year.

Previously, Rakhi festival encompasses the warmth shared between the siblings but now it goes way beyond it. Some people tie Rakhi to neighbors and close friends. Rakhi Utsav was first popularized by Rabindranath Tagore to promote the feeling of unity and a commitment to all members of society to protect each other and encourage a harmonious Social life.

In today's scenario, the day has a different perspective. The occasion involves a pledge of life-time practice of moral, cultural and spiritual values. The festival of Raksha Bandhan assumes all forms of Raksha or protection, of righteousness and destroyer of all sin. The ritual of Rakhi tying has become so important that come what may, brothers and sisters try to visit each other place on this particular day in order to bring back the oneness of the family, binding the family together in an emotional bond of love.

Benefit of Sending Rakhi Online

In this type of Busy Life style it is quite tough to perform such following task to send Rakhi:

• Shop from Market:
• Rakhi
• Sweets
• Chocolates
• Gifts
• Roli
• Akshat
• Some parcel material
• Pack all the material carefully
• Tie it carefully
• Write Address
• Go to the Courier Company’s office
• Parcel it
• Wait till your parcel has been delivered

With Floralindia.com

• Go to the Website www.floralindia.com
• Click the products you like
• Fill the required information
• Pay online & Done OR COD Delivery is also available.

Within four easy steps you are just sought it. Choice is yours. 

History of Rakhi

Lord Krishna and Draupathi : In order to protect the good people, Lord Krishna killed the evil King Shishupal. Krishna was hurt during the war and left with bleeding finger. Seeing this, Draupathi had torn a strip of cloth from her sari and tied around his wrist to stop the bleeding. Lord Krishna, realizing her affections and concern about him, declared himself bounded by her sisterly love. He promised her to repay this debt whenever she need in future. Many years later, when the pandavas lost Draupathi in the game of dice and Kauravas were removing her saari, Krishna helped her divinely elongating the saari so that they could not remove it.

Yama & Yamuna : According to another legend, Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) and his sister Yamuna. Yamuna tied Rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. Yama was so moved by the serenity of the occasion that he declared that whoever gets a Rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection will become immortal.

Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun: One of the earliest origins of Raksha Bandhan in documented history can be traced to the medieval era. During this period the Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions. Rakhi at that time was a spiritual symbol associated with protection of the sister. History has it that when Queen Karnawati the widow of the then King of Chittor realised that she could in no way defend the invasion of the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a Rakhi to Emperor Humayun. The Emperor touched by the gesture, accepted the Rakhi thereby accepting Queen Karnawati as a "sister" and immediately started off with his vast troops to protect Queen Karnavati

King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi : The demon king Mahabali was a great devotee of lord Vishnu. Because of his immense devotion, Vishnu has taken the task of protecting bali's Kingdom leaving his normal place in Vikundam. Goddess lakshmi - the wife of lord Vishnu - has become sad because of this as she wanted lord Vishnu along with her. So she went to Bali and discussed as a Brahmin woman and taken refuge in his palace. On Shravana purnima, she tied Rakhi on King Bali's wrist. Goddess Lakshmi revealed who she is and why she is there. The king was touched by her and Lord Vishnu's good will and affection towards him and his familRakhi or Raksha bandan.

y, Bali requested Lord Vishnu to accompany her to vaikuntam. Due to this festival is also called Baleva as Bali Raja's devotion to the Lord vishnu. It is said that since that day it has become a tradition to invite sisters on sravan pournima to tie sacred thread of

About Raksha Bandhan

The name 'Raksha Bandhan' suggests 'a bond of protection'. On this auspicious day, brothers make a promise to their sisters to protect them from all harms and troubles and the sisters pray to God to protect their brother from all evil. The festival falls on the Shravan Purnima which comes generally in the month of August. Sisters tie the silk thread called Rakhi on their brother's wrist and pray for their well being and brothers promise to take care of their sisters.

This festival enhances the bonding between the mankind by:

• Connecting them
  
  • Socially
  • Morally
  • Intellectually
  • Affectionately
• This thread is not just a thread it binds two persons in a relationship of a Brother n Sister.

It won’t be wrong to say the fashionable friendship band in vogue today is an extension of the Rakhi custom. A girl sends a guy the Rakhi and turns the relationship into a sisterly one. This is one way of saying, "let’s just be friends".

Advice For Wedding Flowers...

In recent years, silk flowers have become popular because it is a cheaper alternative to fresh flowers. Inexpensive silk wedding flowers can save money for your wedding. Designer wedding flowers are out and less expensive silk wedding flower arrangements are in. 

Inexpensive silk flowers are easy to find and can even be used for you wedding flower centerpieces. Silk flower wedding arrangements have become an art. No longer is it simply a bunch of silk flowers stuffed in a green Styrofoam container. These days, silk flower arrangements can be made as elegant and stunning as fresh flower arrangements. 

Inexpensive silk wedding flowers can be a great way to save money on flowers. One of the best things about using discount silk wedding flowers is that when the wedding is over, your guests can take home the centerpieces and have a stunning reminder of your wedding that will last forever. 

A common wedding theme these days is NASCAR. Finding things to match the black and white theme you will use for your NASCAR wedding can be tough but finding black and white fresh flowers is impossible. This is where silk flowers can come in handy. If you're in need of black and white wedding flowers just visit your local silk flower shop. Silk flowers can be dyed any color you want. This ensures that no matter what the colors of your wedding you can get the perfect match. 

With fresh flowers there is also a problem of certain flowers only being available during certain seasons. Try using a fresh daisy wedding bouquet or a fresh tulip wedding bouquet during the middle of winter. Not going to happen unless you're willing to pay a fortune. With silk flowers you don't have to worry about whether the particular flower you want is in season or not. You can find calla lilies and stars of Bethlehem any time of the year in a silk flower store. 

Buying flowers that are native to your area can also save you money but what if the flowers you want for your wedding are native to Australia and you live in Ireland . Not to worry, silk flowers aren't native to anywhere. Silk flowers stores carry a large variety of silk flowers to fit their customers needs, and if they don't have it they can usually order it. Ever tried ordering a specific type and color of flowers from a florist, most won't guarantee the color because they never know exactly what colors will be available. 

Finally, Silk flowers is less expensive and last longer than real flowers. Besides, it helps you save your money to plan for your wedding. Happy wedding!

Can online gifts help you to build your relation?

Every occasion in life is special. It calls for a gesture that makes this moment an eternal one, etched in the mind, indelible against time. In our busy modern life, it is not always possible to celebrate or mark every occasion worth noting. There are many that slip past under the rug, mainly because you are so busy managing a life. When such occasions come around the corner, you are waiting for something that will help you mark the event without cutting too much into your otherwise packed schedule. Help is at hand now in the form of Floral India. Your online partner to send flowers and gifts across India.

Flowers, like gifts, have a special language. You do not really need a day or time to send flowers to people you love. You simply need a warm, beating heart. Thanks to this website, it is so much easy to do that without stirring from the comfort of your home. You can couple up your flowers with a gift to make the moment all the more joyous. The flowers delivered by this website are fresh, radiant and contains all the best wishes that you would have conveyed were you physically present to deliver them yourself! This is quality product and service at the convenient click of the mouse. Once you try out this service once, you will be hooked to keep sending across items and flowers to all those people you care about.

7 Tips To Send Flowers On A Budget

There are occasions when you want to send a huge bouquet of the most exotic blooms but do not have a budget. Never despair for the World Wide Web has solutions to everything. All you need is the conviction that you can still send a beautiful bunch of flowers. 

Log on to the internet and look for discounted flowers or wholesale flower websites. Surf the net for a bargain. But check what shipping costs you. Otherwise you will be pennywise and pound foolish. 

Here are seven tips to send flowers on a shoestring budget:

1. Look for seasonal discount offers online. Many florists have a bargain section where great buys can be had. Choose a flower bouquet that has more greens or a mix of real and silk flowers.
   
   
2. Surf the internet to find out how you can send great flowers and yet not overspend. The World Wide Web is a knowledge highway and experts give tips through informative articles and links.
   
   
3. Use discount coupons offered by online websites to get beautiful flowers at a lower price. Many websites offer great discount coupons as also airport parking lots and credit card companies. Become a bargain hunter and know how and when you can save money.
   
   
4. Choose seasonal blooms rather than exotic ones. The pricing will be vastly different. Be sure to check what shipping will be. Find out if any online florist is offering a free shipping deal.
   
   
5. Use comparison tools offered by online websites to find the best deal from online florists.
   
   
6. Use a friend or family member's membership to get a better price or discount from online florists.
   
   
7. Think beyond a traditional bouquet. Many online florists offer options like a nice ornament with just a single rose. Or a combination of silk and real flowers. Or a potted bloom. Often arrangements are more economical and beautifully decorated.

11 Reasons Chocolate Is Good for Your Health....

It turns out that chocolate—especially dark chocolate—reduces body mass, prevents blood clots, improves numeracy, may prevent cancer, and doesn’t ruin your complexion.

A new study suggests that eating chocolate can help you stay thin. Researchers at the University of California-San Diego found that people who frequently eat chocolate have lower body-mass indexes than people who don’t. Other evidence indicates that chocolate can also ward off strokes, heart attacks, and diabetes. So here are 11 reasons to indulge in some s’mores this summer (no word yet on the health benefits of marshmallows) …

1. Chocolate decreases stroke risk

A Swedish study found that eating more than 45 grams of chocolate per week—about two bars worth—led to a 20 percent decrease in stroke risk among women. Chocolate contains flavonoids, whose antioxidant properties help fight strokes, the study’s author, Susanna Larsson, told HealthDay.

2. Chocolate reduces the likelihood of a heart attack

Other studies show that eating chocolate prevents blood clots, which in turn reduces the risk of heart attacks. Blood platelets clump together more slowly in chocolate eaters, the studies say.

3. Chocolate protects against blood inflammation

Eat one Hershey’s dark chocolate bar per week, and your risk of heart disease will decrease, a 2008 study found. About 6.7 grams of dark chocolate per day keeps the blood inflammation-inducing proteins away. Just like your mother always told you.

4. Chocolate helps with math

British psychologists found that flavanols (a class of flavonoids, which are found in chocolate) helped people with their mental math. Study subjects had an easier time counting backwards from a randomly-generated number between 800 and 999 after drinking a cup of hot chocolate than they did without the cocoa. “The findings suggest students who binge on chocolate when revising for exams may gain a real benefit from doing so,” the British Telegraph reported

5. Chocolate may prevent cancer

Cocoa contains a compound called pentameric procyanidin, or pentamer, which disrupts cancer cells’ ability to spread. When researchers from the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University treated cancer cells with pentamer back in 2005, the proteins necessary for cancer growth were suppressed and the cells stopped dividing.

6. Chocolate reduces the risk of diabetes

The Italians know a thing or two about good eating.And a small study from the University of L'Aquila, in Italy, found that eating chocolate increases insulin sensitivity, which reduces the risk of diabetes 

7. Chocolate is good for your skin

“Some people say that I eat too many chocolate bars …” Remember that acne infomercial from the 90s? No? Well, it doesn’t matter. Not only does it not cause breakouts, it’s actually good for your skin! 

8. Chocolate can control coughs

The most delicious way to kick your cough, apparently, is chocolate. One of the sweet’s chemical components, theobromine, seems to reduce the activity of the vagus nerve, the part of the brain that triggers coughing fits. 

9. Chocolate improves blood flow

In 2008 Harvard scientists forced test subjects to undergo “two weeks of enhanced chocolate intake.” A fortnight of chocolate face-stuffing, they found, sped up blood flow through their subject’s middle cerebral arteries. In other words, more chocolate means more blood to your brain.

10. Chocolate strengthens your brain

Researchers at  the Johns Hopkins University found that dark chocolate shields cells in your brain, and accordingly protects it from damage caused by stroke. Epicatechin, a compound found in chocolate, significantly reduced the brain damage in mice who suffered strokes, they found.

11. Chocolate makes you live longer

Jeanne Louise Calment lived to the age of 122—the oldest anyone has ever lived. She ate two and a half pounds of dark chocolate per week. Harvard researchers found that eating chocolate actually adds two years to your life expectancy.