When should the ‘Rakshabandhan’ be celebrated this year as per Scriptures ?

Shravan Pournima commences on 11^th August from 10.39 a.m. A non-favorable period begins 10.39 a.m. till 8.51 p.m. which is inauspicious for undertaking any auspicious event. In such a situation the exact time for ‘Rakshabandhan’ this year is given ahead.

1. As per the instruction in the Text ‘Nirnaysindhu’, ‘Rakshabandhan’ should be avoided during the non-favourable period. ‘Rakshabandhan’ can be celebrated in the night after this period it is over’.

2. As per the instruction in the Text ‘Dharmasindhu’, ‘Rakshabandhan’ can be held in the afternoon of Shravan Pournima or during Pradosh kal, but ‘Bhadrakaran’ must avoided at that time. Since ‘Bhadrakaran’ happens to be in the afternoon, ‘Rakshabandhan’ can be celebrated in the Pradosh kal after the end of ‘Bhadrakaran’, that is from 8.51 p.m. to 9.56 p.m. which is the best period for ‘Rakshabandhan’. (according to some scholars, ‘Pradosh kal is considered to be of only 90 minutes after the sunset; but here Pradosdh kal is considered as 1/4th part of the night.’

If unable to perform ‘Rakshabandhan’ in the above-mentioned period then alternatives given ahead can be followed.

A. 2^nd alternative for ‘Rakshabandhan’ :

As per the instruction in the Text ‘Jyotirmayukh’ the ending (Puchcha) kal of Bhadrakaran has been prescribed as auspicious for all events. Accordingly ‘Rakshabandhan’ can be celebrated from 5.17 p.m. to 6.19 p.m.

B. 3^rd alternative : As prescribed in ‘Jyotirmayukh’, avoiding the period from around 6 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.

‘Rakshabandhan’ can be celebrated any time during the day after 10.39 a.m.

C. 4^th alternative : As per the instruction in the Text ‘Jyotirmayukh’, if the Moon is in ‘Makar’ rashi (Capricorn), then Bhadrakaran has its place in the Patal (Hell region) and it cannot affect any event on the earth. Hence during Pournima ‘Rakshabandhan’ can be observed at anytime.

(Note : Almanac (Panchang) is prepared considering – lunar day, day (Vaar), constellation, Yoga and karan. Out of these, the karan ‘Bhadra’ is considered inauspicious. Bhadra is also known as ‘Vishti’ so also ‘Kalyani’.)