Raksha Bandhan 2023: Why are we celebrating Rakhi on two days this year? Know details

Raksha Bandhan 2023 falls on two days this year, August 30 and 31. Find out why we are celebrating Rakhi on two days.
The festival of Raksha Bandhan is right around the corner. It celebrates the unbreakable bond between brothers and sisters, commemorated by tying Rakhi on your sibling's hands. Annually, Rakhi falls on the Poornima Tithi (full moon day) of the Shukla Paksha in Shravan Maas (Sawan month). However, this year, there is a dilemma around the correct date of the auspicious festival. People are confused about whether Raksha Bandhan is on August 30 or 31 or if it can be celebrated on both days. Read on to clear up your confusion.
(Also Read | Raksha Bandhan 2023: Date, shubh muhurat, history, significance, celebration and all you need to know about Rakhi)
Why are we celebrating Raksha Bandhan 2023 on two days?
This year, Bhadra Kaal and the full moon dates are coinciding, leading to confusion with the two dates. According to Drik Panchang, Poornima tithi begins at 10:58 am on August 30 and will end at 7:05 am on August 31. Meanwhile, Bhadra Poonch time on Rakhi will last from 5:30 pm to 6:31 pm, and Bhadra Mukha will start from 6:31 pm and end at 8:11 pm. Bhadra Kaal will conclude at 9:01 pm.
Religious beliefs consider the Shravan Purnima date and afternoon time the most auspicious hour for performing Raksha Bandhan rituals. However, engaging in positive activities during the Bhadra period is considered inauspicious. And since Bhadra time coincides with Poornima Tithi and the afternoon hour, people are confused about when to perform the rituals. Therefore, the best time to tie Rakhi would be after 9:01 pm. But many consider nighttime inappropriate for performing Raksha Bandhan rituals. So, you can tie Rakhi on the night of August 30 (after 9:01 pm) or on August 31.
Meanwhile, according to Hindu customs, sisters tie Rakhi on their brother's wrists and bless them with a prosperous and fulfilling life. In return, brothers promise to protect them from all harm, love them unconditionally, and give their sisters gifts. However, in recent times, brothers have also started tying Rakhi on their sister's wrists. Additionally, sisters can also take part in all the customs.
ABOUT THE AUTHORKrishna Pallavi PriyaKrishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.Read More
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