The ancient Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brother and sister. During the annual celebration, sisters tie a rakhi, or string bracelet, around the wrist of their male siblings.
The ritual is meant to cement bonds as well as protect the brothers from misfortune and the evil eye.
The festival has evolved over the years, with the essence being the celebration of the brother-sister relationship. The day is a bank holiday in most parts of India and Nepal.
The ritual is not limited to siblings, with cousins, friends and even colleagues tying rakhis. The person receiving the rakhi traditionally reciprocates in the form of money or gifts.
Raksha Bandhan, which literally translates to “bond of protection”, is usually celebrated on the last day of Shraavana, the fifth month in the Hindu lunar calendar. This means the date changes annually, and this year, the festival falls between August 8 and 9.
How is Raksha Bandhan celebrated?
Young girls tie rakhi onto the wrist of a Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at the India-Pakistan Wagah Border Post. AFP
While various iterations exist, the tradition usually involves a ritual where the sister offers prayers and applies a tikka or vermilion paste on her brother's forehead. She then ties a rakhi around his wrist. The brother in turn proffers gifts and vows to protect her.
The duo then feed each other sweets to celebrate their bond.
Since the day is a public holiday in most parts of India and Nepal, it usually entails family visits and feasts, with many dressed in their traditional best.
The festival is also a major commercial event, with shops, big brands and restaurants offering Raksha Bandhan deals.
A girl looks at rakhis at a roadside stall in Amritsar, Punjab. AFP
There are no specific timings for Raksha Bandhan, but in some cultures, sisters fast until they've offered prayers and tied rakhis on their brothers. As a result, the ritual is usually completed early in the day, with celebrations going on all day and into the evening.
According to some astrologers, this year the Purnima Tithi, or auspicious time, begins at 3.42pm on August 8 and ends at 2.54pm the next day. So, rakhis can be tied at any time during that period.
Evolution of rakhi designs
Peacock rakhi set sold on UAE-based gift platform IGP. Photo: IGP
The look of the rakhi has evolved over the years. The bracelets vary widely in price and design, from simple woven threads to bejewelled charms.
Bluetooth rakhis are also popular. Available online and designed to look like a traditional rakhi, this high-tech version comes with an accompanying app allowing the sister to record her brother's vow of protection.
For people looking for an environmentally friendly option, there are brands that offer colourful designs made with organic cotton threads. Some rakhis even come embedded with seeds that can be planted.
In the UAE, gifts platform IGP has launched a range of rakhis and hampers for different budgets. The range includes Navratna rakhi (Dh55), adorned with nine gemstones, each representing a planet and symbolising good luck and prosperity. The Rakhi hamper (Dh255) includes two rakhis, made with semi-precious stones, as well as traditional Raksha Bandhan snacks in a luxury gift box.
Vego, the plant-based cafe in Dubai, is also offering a range of rakhis starting at Dh15, as well as a Rakhi Essentials hamper comprising a range of chocolates and other snacks.
Dubai-based catering and cloud kitchen brand Paprika has launched Raksha Bandhan gift boxes including a Rakhi Special mini box (Dh30), which contains four ladoo flavours, and a Rakhi Special 4 Dessert box (Dh200) comprising four desserts plus fresh flowers.
Indian restaurant The Spicery in Deira is hosting a Raksha Bandhan meal on August 9 from 6.30pm to 11pm, where guests get a buy-one-get-one-free deal on select menu items, from paneer to biryani and naans.
A version of this story was first published on August 19, 2024
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
