Raksha Bandhan, the festival celebrating the love and trust between siblings, will be observed this time amidst a unique celestial alignment. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival falls on Friday, August 28, 2026. A lunar eclipse is also scheduled to occur on this day. However, since the eclipse will not be visible in India, the rules regarding the *Sutak* (the inauspicious period preceding an eclipse) will differ here.

According to Pandit Kalki Ram, an astrologer from Ayodhya, Raksha Bandhan falls on a Friday this year. As Fridays are associated with Goddess Lakshmi, the festival occurring on this day is considered spiritually significant. On Raksha Bandhan, a sister ties a *Raksha Sutra* (protective thread) around her brother's wrist and prays for his longevity, prosperity, and success.

Pandit Kalki Ram states that the lunar eclipse on August 28 will not be visible in India. Religious beliefs hold that if an eclipse is not visible in a particular location, the *Sutak* period is generally not observed there. Consequently, the *Sutak* restrictions associated with this eclipse will not apply in India.

Nevertheless, the devout may engage in chanting mantras, meditation, and remembering the Divine during the eclipse. The eclipse period is considered a propitious time for spiritual practice. Devotees may perform worship and rituals during this time in accordance with their faith and local traditions.

According to the astrologer, the appropriate time to tie the *Rakhi* on Raksha Bandhan is after 12:31 PM (midday). Siblings should bathe, wear clean clothes, and offer prayers to the deity. Subsequently, at an auspicious time, the sister can apply a *tilak* and tie the *Rakhi* on her brother's wrist. Performing the rituals during the *Abhijit Muhurat* is also considered auspicious. However, as the precise timing for tying the *Rakhi* can vary based on location and the specific almanac (*Panchang*), it is advisable to verify the time with a local almanac or an astrologer.

Raksha Bandhan is not merely about the tradition of tying a *Rakhi*; it symbolizes the love, trust, and mutual support shared between siblings. The sister prays for her brother's prosperity and long life, while the brother pledges to stand by his sister in every circumstance. This year, the festival of Raksha Bandhan is garnering attention due to the coincidence of it falling on a Friday and coinciding with a lunar eclipse. Devotees can celebrate the festival while adhering to their local religious traditions and beliefs.

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