meaning of raksha bandhan...

The relationships are the essence of celebration. Each festival brings the families together. That mere togetherness is celebration. It calls for a total festive environment. The celebration of one such relationship is Raksha Bandhan; the celebration of brother sister relationship.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrating the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. As the name 'Raksha Bandhan' suggests, 'a bond of protection', Raksha Bandhan is a pledge from brothers to protect the sister from all harms and troubles and a prayer from the sister to protect the brother from all evil.
The festival falls on the Shravan Purnima (full moon day of shravan month) which comes generally in the month of August. The sisters tie the silk thread called rakhi on their brother's wrist. The festival is unique to India.

its significance.....

It is considered as a brother and sister festival, though it means more than this. There have been examples in history where in rakhi has just been a raksha or protection. It could be tied by wife, a daughter or mother. The Rishis tied rakhi to the people who came seeking their blessings.
Raksha Bandhan assumes all forms of Raksha or protection, of righteousness and destroyer of all sin. The rakhi tying ritual has become so much a part of the families that come what may brothers and sisters try to reach out to each other on this particular day bringing back the oneness of the family, binding the family together in an emotional bond.
Some tie rakhi to neighbors and close friends signifying a peaceful co-existence of every individual. The day has a deeper perspective in today's scenario. The occasion holds for a life long pledge to practice moral, spiritual and cultural values. The values and the sentiments attached to the rituals of this festival are worth inculcating by the whole human race, the sentiments of harmony and peaceful coexistence.

rakhi thali...

In the Raksha bandhan thali, the rakhis are kept along with differnent items. Traditionally the Rakhi thali is almost same as the thali for the pooja of the deities. The Rakhi Thali contains a diya, roli or tika, rice, sandalwood, incense sticks and some sweets.
The thali or the plate could be of silver or brass or simple steel. Brass or silver or silver plated rakhi thali are considered most auspicious. One of the essentials is drawing a Swastika in the middle of the rakhi thali, the symbol of Lord Ganesha.
The Rakhi thali can be decorated with a yellow or red cotton bandhani cloth and gota ( Golden lace) or moli. Proper care should be taken that diya and the burning encense sticks don't come in direct contact with the cloth.
One can also create a sacred aura by placing a jute mat and asans and arrange your things on it. It is upto ones own imagination and the traditional perspectives to decorate the rakhi thali and perform the ceremony. Be your innovative self and enjoy the auspices of the day.

how to make a rakhi....

Rakhi is the physical symbol of the emotions involved with the festival. The emotions of love, affection and care. It is the sentiments that matter on this day and what can be a better expression of the sisterly love than a self made rakhi.
Material required
1. Strands of silk threads-2/3
2. A pair of scissors
3. Cotton thread to tie knots
4. Beads, sitaras, golden threads and sponge to decorate
5. Glue
A toothbrush with hard bristles.

Method:
Take 20-24 inches long silk thread strands in a bunch. If you want to make multi coloured rakhis take silk threads of different colours.
Tie a tight knot with a cotton thread on the one-fourth part of the silken thread bunch. The one-fourth part will be made into a rakhi while the three-fourth will be the string to tie around the wrist.
Now make sure the heads of the silk threads of the one-fourth part of the bunch do not remain in loops, in case they are, cut them with a pair of scissors.
Once they are independent of loops, with a toothbrush rub hard on these threads and brush them with strong strokes by holding tight on the knot. With repeated strokes the silk threads turns fluffy and soft.
To make the string, divide the three-fourth part of the silk thread in two equal parts and plait them separately. At the end tie a knot and brush the end again.
Once this is done decorate it with beads or sitaras. Stick them with glue. You can purchase sponge of a suitable colour, cut it into a star shape, decorate it with beads or sitaras. Golden threads can be entwined used for decoration. And then stick it with glue.



#2. Material
1.Scissors
2.Craft foam sheets

3.Hole punch

4.Cotton embroidery thread (rayon is harder to work with)

5.Large needle (optional)

6.White glue

7.Beads, sequins

Method

1.Cut a 1-inch wide strip of a craft foam sheet the length you want your bracelet to be.

2 .Using a hole punch, make one hole 1/4 inch from each end.

3. Optional: Cut an 18-inch long piece of embroidery thread. Thread it through the eye of the large needle and stitch patterns into the foam bracelet.

4. Decorate the foam bracelet by gluing on beads and sequins. (It might look messy at first, but the glue will become clear as it dries.) Beads and sequins may present a choking hazard for younger children, so use markers instead.

5.Let glue dry for at least 30 minutes, so the beads and decorations don't fall off during the next step.
6.Measure out three 12-inch strands of embroidery thread, all the same color or different colors. Thread them through the hole at one end of the bracelet and tie a double knot to secure. Braid them and tie another knot at the end to prevent unraveling. Repeat on the other side.