Rakhi With A Twist: Indore Set For A Weekend Of Rituals, Rakhis And Responsibility

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Tied together with a thread of promise, the bond between a brother and sister is a special celebration of pure love and comfort. In a city, where every girl addresses a stranger as ‘bhaiya’, the city is all set to immerse in this pure, sacred bond of love on Raksha Bandhan this Saturday.

The city will witness a variety of events ranging from traditional rituals and symbolic rakhis to tree plantation drives and reform-focused jail visits. Different parts of the city will witness emotional reunions, spiritual offerings, sweet shop queues and environmental pledges.

A giant indigenous rakhi to be offered at Khajrana Ganesh Temple

A 40x40 inch rakhi made from items like laddu, paan, betel nut and coconut has been specially prepared by the Palrecha family for this year’s Raksha Bandhan. The rakhi is decorated with gold and silver plating, miniature rakhis, and a Rudraksha garland, and is set to be offered at Khajrana Ganesh Temple.

Temple priest Dr Bhupendra Dharwa said, “This rakhi is not just a symbol of tradition, it reflects devotion made visible through local, culturally significant materials. We will offer it at the feet of Khajrana Ganesh this Saturday.”

According to temple officials, similar rakhis are also being sent to the Mahakal Temple, Chintaman Ganesh Temple and other important shrines.

Central Jail to host rakhi ceremony for inmates

A special Raksha Bandhan event will be held at Indore Central Jail, where thousands of women will meet their brothers inside the jail premises. They will tie rakhis and pray for their safety and future.

Under the direction of jail superintendent Alka Sonkar, the event is being organised to encourage reformation and family support for inmates. Officials stated that brothers and sisters will take a mutual pledge to avoid crime and work toward rehabilitation after release.

“This festival becomes a moment of reflection. The bond of a rakhi gives them emotional strength and a reason to start over,” said one jail official involved in the arrangements.

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Sweet shops witness rush and stock shortages

The demand for sweets surged across Indore from Friday evening as residents queued up to buy festive offerings. Popular sweet shops in Nath Mandir, Vijay Nagar, Sapna Sangeeta Road and Mhow Naka reported long lines and rapid stock depletion by Sunday afternoon.

Vendors said customers looking for special or branded varieties often had to settle for whatever was left. Each area’s signature sweets saw high demand, leading to early stockouts in some locations.

Green rakhi drive promotes environmental commitment

An alternative celebration is being led by Padma Shri Janak Palta McGilligan, who will host the 40th rakhi tree plantation drive at Dootni Tekri, Sanawadiya, on Saturday at 9 am. Participants will plant saplings in place of tying rakhis, pledging care for the environment.

“Every planted sapling is a promise to protect the planet. Tie a rakhi to Mother Earth this year,” McGilligan said. The event is supported by Jaivik Setu, which will handle watering and maintenance.

Sisters celebrate with each other

This year, Raksha Bandhan celebrations are also taking a broader form as women choose to tie rakhis to each other, expressing mutual support.

Sisters Nikita and Ankita Asrani, who plan to tie rakhis to one another, said, “The festival is about love and protection. Being sisters, we share that bond every day. Rakhi is a way to remind each other that we’ve got each other’s back — always.”