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FACTS
| Hindu Facts
· Hinduism is the word's third most popular religion, with around 900 million followers.
· About 80% of the population of India regard themselves as Hindus.
· Hinduism is the fourth most popular religion in Britain with around 400,000 followers.
· Hinduism is over 3000 years old, although elements of the faith are much older.
· It has no founder, single teacher, nor prophets and it is not a single unified religion, although all Hindus believe in a universal soul or God called Brahman.
· Hinduism originated near the river Indus.
· In addition to Brahman, there are many other deities such as Krishna, Shiva, Rama and Durga.
· Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, governed by Karma.
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 |  | In 2004 Raksha Bandhan was celebrated on 29 August. Hindus all over the world celebrated the festival that honours the relationship between brothers and sisters.
| Ìý |  | The Varanassi Hindu temple in India
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In celebration, sisters tie rakhi (twisted red and gold threads) around their brothers' wrists and the brothers give a gift, often money, in return.
Rakhi can also be given to close friends.
The date of Raksha Bhandan changes with the luna calendar as it is always celebrated on a full-moon in the month of Sravana (July-August).
ÌýThe meaning of Raksha Bandhan
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| Ìý |  | Carving on the Neasden Hindu temple in London
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Raksha Bandhan symbolises love, affection and brotherhood.
Raksha means protection and bandan means to tie. As sisters tie the Rakhi around the right wrist of their brothers they pray for their long life and happiness.
ÌýThe Origin of Raksha Bandhan
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The real origin of Raksha Bandhan is not really known but there are many legends associated with the festival.
One says Raksha Bandhan developed out of a huge battle between the gods and the demons.
During the fierce battle the demons were fighting hard so Indra, king of gods, asked Bruhaspathi to suggest a way out. Before Bruhaspathi could suggest a solution, Indra's wife, Indrani, said she was confident the gods would win.
The next day was the Sravan Poornima, so Indrani consulted old scriptures and prepared a talisman. She tied the amulet to her husband's wrist. He went back to the battlefield and to his amazement, the demons fled.
Ever since, on Sravan Poornima day, women tie thread on mens' wrists to protect them and bless them with health, wealth, happiness and victories.
In a less victorious but more touching legend, the rakhi is a symbol of love.
One legend tells of a battle between Alexander and Pururavas, the great Hindu king. Pururavas was a mighty fighter and was in the position to kill Alexander. At that point, Alexander's wife approached Pururavas and tied a rakhi on his wrist.
Just as Pururavas raised his hand to deliver a mortal blow to Alexander, he saw the rakhi and decided to spare Alexander's life.
ÌýThe celebration of Raksha Bandhan centres around the brightly coloured rakhi threads.
Places start selling rakhis and sweets well in advance of the festival and are often brightly decorated.
Rakhis can be simple or can be embellished with decoration such as beads, stones, metalic threads and ribbons.
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