Rakhi challenge: Chilkur Balaji temple invites youth to accept challenge

On the occasion of Rakhi Pournima falling on August 26, the Sunday, the Chilkur Balaji temple is inviting all young boys to bring at least one new girl to tie a Rakhi and accept her as a their sister for life, in the belief that this habit would reduce negative instincts.

Mr Ranga Rajan, a heriditary archak at the Chilkur Balaji temple, told DC that the concept of celebrating rakhi was his brainchild. “Earlier school students used to celebrate this, but brother-sister relationship is reducing these days. There are many relationships, that a boy and girl can develop, that benefit a society. There is turmoil in the society because of the crimes that are committed against women. To address this issue, we decided it was necessary to foster this brotherly love which can benefit both boys and girls and help in increasing self-restraint.

So far we have received a positive response from many,” he added.Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj are the two major festivals devoted to the brother-sister relationship. In Raksha Bandhan, the brother vows to ensure the safety of his sister and the sister prays for the long life of the brother. The Rakhi works as a reminder of this and is ritually removed on Janmashtami.