Festive Travels: Celebrating Raksha Bandhan Across India

Raksha Bandhan always made me think of early mornings, the clink of steel thalis, mom calling everyone for pooja, and that faint smell of marigold and sandalwood mixing in the air. But the older we get, the more scattered we all become. Siblings in different cities. Parents in another. Sometimes, you end up in a whole new state.

And somewhere in the middle of all this growing up, a thought crosses your mind—what if Raksha Bandhan could be about more than just the rakhi and the laddoos? What if it could be a reason to travel… not just home, but deeper into the heart of India, where the festival wears different colours, traditions, and flavours?

Let’s go on that journey.

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Delhi – Chaos, Chaats & Childhood Feels

If you’ve grown up in Delhi, you already know how serious people are about Rakhi here. Markets light up like mini Diwalis—Lajpat Nagar, Sadar Bazaar, even those tiny roadside stalls at every corner selling rakhis in every shape you can imagine.

One year, I missed booking tickets early and landed in Delhi the night before Rakhi. I still remember the buzz—cousins picking me up from the station with dahi bhallas in hand. Noisy, chaotic, but warm. That’s the Delhi Rakhi vibe. It’s not quiet love—it’s full volume, full heart.

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Jaipur – Royal Ties and Rajasthani Charm

Travel a little west, and the flavor changes. In Jaipur, Raksha Bandhan carries the same emotional weight but is layered with that regal touch Rajasthan is famous for. Women wear leheriya sarees, sweets like ghewar are gifted with rakhis, and the rituals feel almost cinematic.

I stayed once with a friend during Rakhi here—her grandmother made her tie a rakhi not just on her brother’s wrist but also on her cousin’s, their family driver, and even the family cow. No joke. That’s the kind of inclusive, love-everyone energy Jaipur brings.

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Kolkata – Where It’s Rakhi and Rabindra Sangeet

Now, if you think Raksha Bandhan isn’t as “big” in Bengal, think again. Sure, it might not be as commercial, but the emotions run just as deep. Schools here hold “Rakhi Diwas,” where girls tie rakhis to classmates and even to strangers, promoting unity and peace.

I walked down a street near Shobhabazar once and saw two elderly neighbors, probably in their 70s, tying rakhis to each other with a quiet smile. It wasn’t grand. But it was… grounding. You don’t always need fireworks for love to be real.

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Udaipur – Floating Rakhis and Family by the Lake

Ah, Udaipur. The city of lakes has a way of turning everything into a dream—even a simple Rakhi celebration. Imagine tying rakhis while sitting near Lake Pichola, sipping hot masala chai, the Aravallis watching silently from afar.

There, the festival is slower. More reflective. One shopkeeper told me, “Here, it’s not about gifts. It’s about time spent.” And that hit me hard. Because isn’t that what most of us crave, more than anything?

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Mumbai – Fast-Paced, But Full of Heart

In Mumbai, even Raksha Bandhan tries to keep up with the clock. People tie rakhis in local trains, at office desks, during 10-minute lunch breaks. And yet, there’s something beautiful about it—love squeezed into time slots, but still showing up.

I saw a little girl once tying a rakhi to her brother inside a BEST bus. She was struggling to do the aarti without spilling oil. The conductor helped hold the plate. Everyone clapped. That’s the Mumbai magic—you’re never alone in your moment.

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A Gentle Reminder: It’s Okay If It’s Not Perfect

Maybe this year you’re not at home. Maybe your sibling’s abroad. Maybe life’s a little messy and Rakhi feels off-tune. That’s okay.

Festivals aren’t about staged smiles or social media-perfect pictures. They’re about showing up—in whatever way you can. Whether it’s flying back home, sending a rakhi through post, or even calling your sibling while sitting in a tiny Airbnb in a city you’ve never been to before.

Because Raksha Bandhan, at its core, is about connection. And sometimes, travel deepens that bond in unexpected ways.

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One Last Thought: Why Not Travel Together?

This year, what if you and your sibling decided to meet somewhere instead of just visiting home? Maybe in Amritsar, and you eat your weight in kulchas? Or in Kerala, and tie rakhis surrounded by coconut trees? Maybe even plan a sibling getaway—a little chaotic, a little nostalgic, but absolutely unforgettable.

Because travel creates memories. And siblings? They’re the people you fight with in the morning and laugh with by evening.

So this Raksha Bandhan, tie the thread. Pack the bags. Share the journey.

Who knows—maybe the destination won’t just be a place. Maybe it’ll be each other.

Because Sometimes, a Thread Ties Together More Than Just Siblings—it Connects Us to Places, Moments, and Home