Raksha Bandhan 2026 and 2027: Date and Rakhi Time in 49 Cities

Raksha Bandhan is the festival of the bond between brothers and sisters. A sister ties a rakhi, a thread or bracelet, on her brother’s wrist, and he gives a gift and a promise of care. The day falls on Shravana Purnima, the full Moon day of the month of Shravana, and cousins, friends and neighbours often join in.

Two conditions decide the day and the hour. Purnima should be in force in the Aparahna, the afternoon, or failing that in the Pradosh, the period after sunset; and the rakhi should not be tied during Bhadra, a part of the tithi that traditional calendars avoid for auspicious work. When Bhadra covers the afternoon, the hour moves to after Bhadra ends. The window in the table begins when Bhadra is over (or at the start of the preferred time) and ends when Purnima ends or the evening window closes.

Why do cities differ? Purnima and Bhadra begin and end at the same instants worldwide, but afternoon and sunset are at different clock times in each city. One city can have Bhadra end before its afternoon and another after it, so the window differs widely, and in some years the day itself differs by one.

A calm note: the thread and the thought are the point. If a sister and brother live far apart, a rakhi sent by post or a video call is a full observance, and the exact hour is a guide, not a test. If your family keeps a different hour or day, follow them.

Frequently asked questions