Meet the rakhi
Hello, little thread!
It is colourful, cheerful and ready to carry a big feeling from one little heart to another.
A warm, playful guide for parents of little ones aged 1.5–5.5 years — stories, simple essays, speeches, slogans and craft ideas in English, Hindi and Marathi.
Welcome to The Rakhi Trail
01 / 05
Meet the rakhi
It is colourful, cheerful and ready to carry a big feeling from one little heart to another.
Tie a little promise
A rakhi is a tiny reminder to be kind, helpful and close — today and every day.
Share some sweetness
Festivals feel extra lovely when we share sweets, stories and space at the family table.
Make something together
Cut, colour, thread and create a rakhi or card that is wonderfully, wonderfully yours.
Carry the kindness along
Take the promise with you — share a smile, help a friend and let kindness keep travelling.
Scroll to follow the thread ↓
Raksha Bandhan is a very old Indian festival — it has been celebrated for thousands of years, and children love learning about the stories behind it. Its roots stretch back through ancient itihasa and puranic legends passed down through generations, long before it became the joyful family celebration we know today. Here are three of the best-loved stories:
Long ago, the goddess Shachi tied a sacred thread on the wrist of Lord Indra, king of the sky, before a great battle. The thread gave him strength, and he won — one of the oldest tellings of the rakhi story.
Children's favourite: Draupadi tied a piece of cloth on Lord Krishna's wounded finger. Touched by her kindness, Krishna promised to always protect her — and he kept his promise.
A brave queen, Karnavati, once sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun, asking him to be her brother and protect her kingdom. He respected the rakhi and came to her aid.
Even today, the rakhi thread carries the same power — not a magical power, but the power of love, trust and a heartfelt promise.
Let toddlers explore a safe thali with petals, rice and marigolds — a gentle introduction to texture and colour.
Paint your child's hand and stamp it on card stock — a sweet keepsake for the whole family.
Little ones love getting dressed up in traditional clothes for photos and celebration.
Thread beads and buttons on colourful string — builds fine motor skills while making a "friendship bracelet".
Sit together and act out the Draupadi-Krishna story in simple, child-friendly language.
Children share one thing they love about a sibling or friend — building empathy, one kind word at a time.
Raksha Bandhan is one of India's most heartwarming festivals. It celebrates the loving bond between brothers and sisters. On this special day, sisters tie a colourful thread called a rakhi on their brothers' wrists and pray for their happiness and long life. Brothers, in turn, promise to always love, care for, and protect their sisters. The sister often applies a tilak on her brother's forehead and waves a small lamp before tying the rakhi. Families dress in new clothes, share delicious sweets like ladoo and barfi, and exchange gifts and warm wishes. Raksha Bandhan falls every year on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana. At Rainbow Preschool International, Thane, our little ones celebrate this festival with joyful craft activities and stories. It is truly a day full of love, sweets, and smiles!
रक्षाबंधन भारत का एक सुंदर और खुशियों से भरा त्योहार है। यह भाई और बहन के प्यार का त्योहार है। इस दिन बहन अपने भाई की कलाई पर एक रंगीन धागा — राखी — बांधती है और उसकी लंबी उम्र व खुशहाली के लिए प्रार्थना करती है। भाई अपनी बहन को हमेशा प्यार और सुरक्षा देने का वादा करता है। पूजा की थाली में राखी, रोली, अक्षत, दीया और मिठाई रखी जाती है। बहन भाई को तिलक लगाती है, आरती उतारती है और फिर राखी बांधती है। बदले में भाई अपनी बहन को उपहार देता है। यह त्योहार श्रावण महीने की पूर्णिमा को मनाया जाता है। रेनबो प्रीस्कूल इंटरनेशनल, ठाणे में हम यह त्योहार बड़े उत्साह से मनाते हैं। रक्षाबंधन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं!
रक्षाबंधन हा भारतातील एक आनंददायी आणि सुंदर सण आहे. हा सण भाऊ आणि बहिणीच्या प्रेमाचा सण आहे. या दिवशी बहीण आपल्या भावाच्या मनगटावर एक रंगीत धागा — राखी — बांधते आणि त्याच्या दीर्घायुष्यासाठी व सुखासाठी प्रार्थना करते. भाऊ आपल्या बहिणीला नेहमी प्रेम आणि संरक्षण देण्याचे वचन देतो. पूजेच्या ताटात राखी, रोळी, अक्षता, दिवा आणि मिठाई ठेवली जाते. बहीण भावाला टिळा लावते, ओवाळते आणि मग राखी बांधते. महाराष्ट्रात हाच दिवस 'नारळी पौर्णिमा' म्हणूनही साजरा केला जातो. रेनबो इंटरनॅशनल प्री-स्कूल, ठाण्यात आम्ही हा सण मोठ्या उत्साहाने साजरा करतो. रक्षाबंधनाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा!
Long, long ago, in a faraway kingdom, a sister loved her brother very much. Every day, she prayed that her brother would always be happy, healthy, and safe. One day, she took a beautiful colourful thread and tied it on her brother's wrist — with all her love and all her prayers woven into it.
The brother looked at the thread and felt his sister's love. He said, "Sister, I promise — wherever I go, I will always look after you."
From that day on, every year on the full moon day of the month of Shravana, sisters and brothers all over India tie the rakhi and make their promise again. And that is how Raksha Bandhan became our favourite festival!
बहुत समय पहले, एक दूर के राज्य में, एक बहन अपने भाई से बहुत प्यार करती थी। वह हर दिन प्रार्थना करती थी कि उसका भाई हमेशा खुश, स्वस्थ और सुरक्षित रहे। एक दिन, उसने एक सुंदर रंगीन धागा लिया और अपने भाई की कलाई पर बांध दिया — उसमें उसका सारा प्यार और सारी दुआएं थीं।
भाई ने धागे को देखा और अपनी बहन का प्यार महसूस किया। उसने कहा, "बहन, मैं वादा करता हूं — मैं जहां भी जाऊं, हमेशा तुम्हारा ख्याल रखूंगा।"
उसी दिन से, हर साल श्रावण महीने की पूर्णिमा को, पूरे भारत में बहनें और भाई राखी बांधते हैं और अपना वादा फिर से दोहराते हैं। और इस तरह रक्षाबंधन हमारा सबसे प्यारा त्योहार बन गया!
फार पूर्वी, एका दूरच्या राज्यात, एक बहीण आपल्या भावावर खूप प्रेम करत होती. ती रोज प्रार्थना करायची की तिचा भाऊ नेहमी आनंदी, निरोगी आणि सुरक्षित राहावा. एके दिवशी, तिने एक सुंदर रंगीत धागा घेतला आणि तो आपल्या भावाच्या मनगटावर बांधला — त्यात तिचे सर्व प्रेम आणि सर्व प्रार्थना विणलेल्या होत्या.
भावाने तो धागा पाहिला आणि बहिणीचे प्रेम अनुभवले. तो म्हणाला, "बहिणी, मी वचन देतो — मी कुठेही गेलो तरी नेहमी तुझी काळजी घेईन."
त्या दिवसापासून, दरवर्षी श्रावण महिन्यातील पौर्णिमेला, संपूर्ण भारतात बहिणी आणि भाऊ राखी बांधतात आणि आपले वचन पुन्हा देतात. आणि अशा प्रकारे रक्षाबंधन आपला सर्वात आवडता सण बनला!
Good morning everyone! Raksha Bandhan is one of my favourite festivals! It is the festival of brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie a beautiful thread called rakhi on their brothers' wrists. And brothers say, "I will always take care of you, sister!" Raksha Bandhan teaches us to love and care for each other. It also teaches us that promises are very important — and we must always keep them! Let's celebrate it with joy, sweets, and lots of love! Thank you! Happy Raksha Bandhan!
सुप्रभात! रक्षाबंधन मेरा सबसे पसंदीदा त्योहार है। यह भाई और बहन का त्योहार है। इस दिन बहन भाई की कलाई पर राखी बांधती है। भाई कहता है — "बहन, मैं हमेशा तुम्हारे साथ रहूंगा!" रक्षाबंधन हमें सिखाता है कि हम अपने भाई-बहनों से प्यार करें और उनका ख्याल रखें। वादे बहुत जरूरी होते हैं — और हमें उन्हें हमेशा निभाना चाहिए! आइए इसे मिठाई, प्यार और खुशियों के साथ मनाएं! धन्यवाद! रक्षाबंधन की शुभकामनाएं!
सुप्रभात! रक्षाबंधन हा माझा सर्वात आवडता सण आहे! हा भाऊ आणि बहिणीचा सण आहे. या दिवशी बहीण भावाच्या मनगटावर राखी बांधते. भाऊ म्हणतो — "बहिणी, मी नेहमी तुझ्यासाठी असेन!" रक्षाबंधन आपल्याला शिकवतो की आपण आपल्या भावंडांवर प्रेम करावे आणि त्यांची काळजी घ्यावी. वचन खूप महत्त्वाचे असते — आणि ते नेहमी पाळले पाहिजे! चला हा सण मिठाई, प्रेम आणि आनंदाने साजरा करूया! धन्यवाद! रक्षाबंधनाच्या शुभेच्छा!
Tie, tie, tie the rakhi,
On my brother's wrist today!
I'll say a little prayer for him,
As he goes out to play.
He'll give me sweets and lovely gifts,
And promise, "I'll be here!"
And every year when Raksha Bandhan comes,
We'll fill our hearts with cheer!
राखी लाई बहना, भाई की कलाई सजाई!
रोली-चावल, दीप जलाया, मिठाई भी ले आई!
भाई ने कहा हंसकर, "बहना, मैं तेरा हूं!"
तेरी खुशियों के लिए, हर पल तेरे पास हूं!
राखी का यह त्योहार, हमें प्यार सिखाए!
भाई-बहन का बंधन, हमेशा मुस्कुराए!
राखी आणली बहिणीने, भावाच्या मनगटी बांधली!
रोळी, अक्षता, दिवा लावला, मिठाई सोबत आणली!
भाऊ म्हणाला हसत-हसत, "बहिणी, मी तुझा आहे!"
तुझ्या आनंदासाठी, नेहमीच तुझ्यासाठी!
रक्षाबंधनाचा हा सण, आपल्याला प्रेम शिकवतो!
भाऊ-बहिणीचे बंधन, सदैव हसवतो!
Draw a colourful rakhi with your favourite pattern.
Draw a brother and sister holding hands under a rainbow.
Draw a puja thali with a diya, rakhi and sweets.
Draw your family celebrating Raksha Bandhan together.
Draw a tree with colourful rakhis tied on its branches.
Draw your favourite sweet — ladoo, barfi or gulab jamun!
Draw yourself tying a rakhi on someone you love.
Draw a big heart with the words "Happy Raksha Bandhan!"
Making a rakhi is one of the most joyful activities for young children during Raksha Bandhan. Here's a simple, fun craft for little ones to try at home or in school.
Teacher tip: Try a "class rakhi" — a paper strip with every child's handprint — a beautiful collaborative project celebrating friendship.
A classic mythological sibling-story duo costume.
Matching red and gold outfits with a big rakhi prop.
A dhoti-kurta for boys, a lehenga or paithani for girls.
A cute cape costume with "Bhaiya's Promise" written on it.
A costume decorated like a thali with diya and rakhi motifs.
A leaf-and-flower costume celebrating the "rakhi on a tree" tradition.
Tap "Copy" to copy a wish and send it on WhatsApp.
Happy Raksha Bandhan! May your brother/sister always be your strength and your smile.
Wishing you a Raksha Bandhan filled with love, laughter, and the sweetest sweets!
To my wonderful sibling — this rakhi carries all my love and all my prayers for you. Happy Raksha Bandhan!
No matter how far we are, the bond of the rakhi is always close. Happy Raksha Bandhan!
May your Raksha Bandhan be as bright, colourful, and joyful as the rakhi you tie!
From all of us at Rainbow Preschool International, Thane — Happy Raksha Bandhan to you and your family!
प्यारे भाई/बहन को रक्षाबंधन की ढेर सारी शुभकामनाएं! भगवान आपको हमेशा खुश रखे।
इस राखी पर बस यही दुआ है — आप हमेशा मुस्कुराते रहो। रक्षाबंधन मुबारक!
दूरी चाहे कितनी भी हो, राखी का धागा हमेशा हमें जोड़े रखता है। रक्षाबंधन की शुभकामनाएं!
रेनबो प्रीस्कूल, ठाणे की ओर से आप सभी को रक्षाबंधन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं!
प्रिय भाऊ/बहिणीला रक्षाबंधनाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा! देव तुम्हाला नेहमी सुखी ठेवो.
या राखीत माझ्या सर्व प्रार्थना आहेत — रक्षाबंधन मुबारक!
अंतर कितीही असले तरी राखीचा धागा आपल्याला नेहमी जोडतो. रक्षाबंधनाच्या शुभेच्छा!
रेनबो प्री-स्कूल इंटरनॅशनल, ठाण्याकडून सर्वांना रक्षाबंधनाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा!
Simple display-picture concepts for families and preschools to recreate at home:
A close-up of small hands tying a colourful rakhi on a sibling's wrist — warm, natural light.
Flat-lay overhead of the thali with flowers, sweets, a diya and a handmade paper rakhi.
Children sitting in a circle, each holding their handmade rakhi — smiling and colourful.
Red background, white text with the date, a confetti and rakhi graphic — great for a status update.
A child's handprint in red styled as a rakhi, with "Made with love" text underneath.
A warm gradient background with a festive greeting in Hindi or Marathi and a floral border.
A fun, age-appropriate quiz for children aged 5–10. Try it at home or during school assembly!
Raksha Bandhan 2026 falls on Friday, August 28, 2026, the full moon (Purnima) day of the Hindu month of Shravana.
Raksha Bandhan 2027 falls on Monday, August 16, 2027, also observed on the Shravana Purnima.
Raksha Bandhan is a special festival where sisters tie a beautiful thread called a rakhi on their brothers' wrists. Brothers promise to always take care of their sisters. Then everyone eats sweets and celebrates together — it's a festival of love and promises between siblings.
Keep it simple: "Today is a special day! Sister or brother is going to put a pretty bracelet on your wrist. It means we love each other very much!" Let toddlers enjoy the colours, sweets and festive atmosphere — they'll feel the joy even without understanding every ritual.
Narali Purnima is Maharashtra's festival on the same day as Raksha Bandhan. "Narali" means coconut — fishing communities offer coconuts to the sea, praying for safe waters and a good fishing season.
Preschools can celebrate with rakhi-making craft activities, simple storytelling about siblings and friendship, a "kindness circle", festive dress-up, nursery rhymes, and sharing homemade treats — with the focus on love, friendship and caring for each other.
Absolutely. Today, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated beyond the traditional brother-sister bond — sisters tie rakhis on sisters, friends tie rakhis on friends, and children tie rakhis on trees. It's about love, care and the promise of protection in every relationship.
A favourite child-friendly story is from the Mahabharata: Draupadi tied a piece of her saree on Lord Krishna's wounded finger to stop the bleeding. Touched by her kindness, Krishna promised to always protect her — and he kept his promise. It teaches children that kindness earns loyalty, and promises must be kept.
Raksha Bandhan is more than a thread tied on a wrist — it is a promise, a memory, and a lesson in love that children carry with them for life. Whether your little one is tying their first rakhi, reciting a speech, or simply enjoying the sweets, every part of the celebration teaches warmth, kindness, and togetherness. From all of us at Rainbow Preschool International, Thane — may your Raksha Bandhan 2026 be filled with love, laughter, and the sweetest of memories.