In fact, the silicon city is a pioneer in the concept of brothers sending e-rakhis to their sisters.
Colourful rakhis, from the simplest to the most artistic and elaborate, are on display at gift stores and other shops. Traditional sweets and the gifting ritual is yet another vital aspect of Raksha Bandhan in Bangalore. In fact, eating regional sweets of Karnataka is the main event of the day. The observance of Raksha                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Bandhan, especially in co-educational colleges, is quite popular and a comparatively new trend and goes beyond religious and caste barriers.
 Brothers give their sisters gifts and promise to look after and protect them all their life. Most sisters also buy some really fabulous gifts for their brothers ranging from shirts, perfumes, sunglasses, wristwatches, or other expensive items after performing the ‘arti’ and ‘puja’ in the morning. The sister then prays to all the gods and goddesses for the long life of her brother.
After the morning ‘tilak’ and ‘puja’ ceremony, in the evening the family arranges for a small get-together. Sometimes, families also visit their relatives to exchange wishes and gifts for Raksha Bandhan in Bangalore. We find the unity of community and fellow feeling during any festival celebration in Bangalore.
Historical brother-sister bond
During the medieval era, Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions. Rakhi at that time meant a spiritual binding and protection of sisters was foremost.
When Rani Karnawati the widowed queen of the king of Chittor realised that she could in no way defend the invasion of the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun. The Emperor touched by the gesture started off with his troops without wasting any time.
The oldest reference to the festival of rakhi goes back to 300 BC at the time when Alexander invaded India. It is said that the great conqueror, King Alexander of Macedonia was shaken by the fury of the Indian king Puru in his first attempt. Upset by this, Alexander's wife, who had heard of the Rakhi festival, approached King Puru. King Puru accepted her as his sister and when the opportunity came during the war, he refrained from Alexander.
MP