Raksha Bandhan 2023 Date — Thursday, August 31, 2023

Raksha Bandhan 2023 — full list of dates

Why we celebrate

Sacred full moon of Shravan — rakhi, yajnopavita change, hayagriva jayanti overlap.

How it is celebrated

Temple visits, Satyanarayan katha, holy dip in rivers (where tradition permits), charity, and fasting or sattvic diet. Purnima is ideal for beginning spiritual vows.

Puja timing

Puja after sunrise through midday; Satyanarayan katha often in evening. Moonrise darshan (Chandra puja) is done when the full moon is visible.

Foods & offerings

Sattvic vegetarian food; kheer, puri, halwa for naivedyam. Many avoid non-veg and alcohol. Fasting devotees break with prasad after puja.

Rituals

1. Wake early, bathe, and wear clean clothes.
2. Perform Satyanarayan puja or Vishnu/Lakshmi puja if it is a Vishnu-related Purnima; Devi puja for Shakta Purnimas.
3. Offer flowers, incense, lamp, and naivedyam.
4. Charity (dan-dakshina) to priests, cows, or the poor is emphasized on Purnima.
5. Chant mantras or read scriptures; many observe upavasa or eat one sattvic meal.
6. Evening lamp and gratitude prayer to complete the day.

Raksha Bandhan dates by year