Raksha Bandhan 2025 date: August 8 or 9? Check shubh muhurat, bhadra timings, and best time to tie Rakhi

Raksha Bandhan, the festival that honours the bond between brothers and sisters, will be celebrated this year on August 9, 2025. The festival is observed on the full moon day of the Shravana month in the Hindu calendar, which generally falls in August. Families across India and in other countries with Hindu populations mark this day with rituals and gatherings that highlight love and protection between siblings.

Drik Panchang states: “The best time to tie Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan is during Aparahna, which is late afternoon according to the Hindu division of the day. If Aparahna time is not available, then Pradosh time is also suitable to perform rituals related to Raksha Bandhan.”

Raksha Bandhan 2025 Shubh Muhurat

Raksha Bandhan Date: Saturday, 9th August 2025

Raksha Bandhan Muhurat:

• The best Muhurat to tie Rakhi to your brother is from 05:21 AM to 01:24 PM on 9th August 2025.
• Bhadra will begin on August 8 at 2:12 PM and will end on August 9 at 1:52 AM.
• Saubhagya Yog: Starts on Raksha Bandhan day and remains till 2:15 AM (10th August).
• Sarvarth Siddhi Yog: Active from 05:47 AM to 02:23 PM.
• Sharavan Nakshatra: Present till 02:23 PM.
• The festival also falls during Karan Bava and Balava—both considered good for auspicious rituals.

Raksha Bandhan Tradition

On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a sacred thread called Rakhi on their brothers’ wrists, perform aarti, and apply tilak on their foreheads. They also offer prayers for their brothers’ long life and well-being. In return, brothers give gifts and promise to protect their sisters.

Though the customs may vary by region, the central ritual remains the same. In Nepal, for instance, Raksha Bandhan is observed as Janai Purnima, where men change their sacred threads, and sisters tie Rakhi to their brothers as part of the celebration.

Raksha Bandhan Preparations

Preparations for Raksha Bandhan begin weeks in advance. Sisters often select Rakhis that reflect their brothers’ preferences—by colour, symbol or design—while brothers prepare gifts.The day is also marked by family get-togethers. Households make traditional sweets like laddoos and barfis, exchange stories, and sometimes organise indoor games or shared meals. For many, Raksha Bandhan is both a celebration of bonds and a renewal of family commitments.The essence of Raksha Bandhan lies in the expression of love, care, and responsibility. It is a cultural reminder of the emotional ties within families and the duties that come with them.

The observance continues to evolve with time but retains its core significance—reinforcing the strength of sibling relationships across generations and geographies.