Rakhi season is almost here. The Rakhis are out, sweet shops are getting busier and families are already making plans for that one special morning when brothers and sisters sit together for the ceremony.Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on Friday, August 28, 2026. The festival, also known as Rakhi, falls on the full moon day, or Purnima Tithi, of the Hindu month of Shravana.If you’re wondering when to tie the Rakhi, what the shubh muhurat is and what you need for the traditional puja, here’s a simple guide.
Raksha Bandhan 2026 : Date and Purnima Tithi
According to Drik Panchang, Raksha Bandhan falls on August 28, 2026.The Purnima Tithi begins at 9:08 am on August 27 and ends at 9:48 am on August 28.There’s a reason you may find slightly different Rakhi timings online. Hindu festival timings are worked out according to the local sunrise and other Panchang calculations, so the muhurat isn’t necessarily identical in every city.
Raksha Bandhan 2026: Shubh Muhurat
For New Delhi, the Rakhi-tying muhurat on August 28 is from 5:57 am to 9:48 am.That’s a little over three and a half hours, giving families plenty of time to get together and perform the ceremony.The Bhadra period ends before sunrise in New Delhi on August 28, so it doesn’t overlap with this Rakhi-tying window.If you’re celebrating outside Delhi, though, check the Panchang for your own city before deciding on the timing.
Raksha Bandhan 2026: Rakhi-Tying Timings
The timing changes slightly depending on the city.In Mumbai, for instance, the Rakhi-tying muhurat is 6:22 am to 9:48 am on August 28, according to Drik Panchang.You might also see Choghadiya timings listed for the day. But those shouldn’t automatically be taken as the Rakhi-tying muhurat. The two aren’t necessarily the same.And if your family traditionally avoids Rahu Kaal for auspicious ceremonies, remember that this timing also depends on the city.
Mumbai Raksha Bandhan 2026 Timings
Raksha Bandhan: Friday, August 28, 2026Rakhi-tying muhurat: 6:22 am to 9:48 amPurnima Tithi begins: August 27 at 9:08 amPurnima Tithi ends: August 28 at 9:48 amBhadra: Ends before sunrise on August 28These are Mumbai-specific timings. If you’re celebrating somewhere else, use the Panchang for your city.
Raksha Bandhan 2026: Puja Vidhi
The actual Rakhi ceremony is pretty straightforward.After the morning bath and other daily rituals, the family can get the puja thali ready. Usually, it includes the Rakhi, roli or kumkum, akshat, a diya and some sweets.The brother sits down for the ceremony and the sister applies a tilak to his forehead, followed by akshat. She then performs the aarti and prays for his health, happiness and long life.Then comes the moment everyone is waiting for – she ties the Rakhi around his wrist and offers him sweets.The brother traditionally gives his sister a gift in return. And, depending on the family, there may be hugs, teasing, photographs and a lot of catching up afterwards.That’s also why there isn’t one rigid way to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Customs can differ from family to family and region to region. Some keep the ceremony elaborate, while others prefer a quick puja followed by lunch together.At the heart of it, though, the idea remains the same: a day to celebrate the bond between siblings.
