413 brothers, sisters set Guinness record with rakhis

It was a one-of-a-kind Raksha Bandhan celebration in the city. On Thursday, 413 brothers and sisters tied the sacred thread 'rakhi' to each other at National High School  Grounds in Basavangudi and entered the record books.

Siblings of all ages tied rakhis to each other at one place at the same time on the occasion of 'Antarmana Raksha Bandhan Mahotsav' organised by Tyaga Seva Samithi Trust, Karnataka Jain Association, Sri Chakreshwari Mahila Samaj and Sakal Jain Samaj. The event was witnessed by around 5,000 people.

The two-and-a-half-hour event also saw organisers tying the 24-carat gold rakhi measuring 1.5 inches on the mayur pankha pichika (holy peacock feather broom) belonging to Gurudev Antarmana Munishri Prasanna Sagar and a 3.5-inch silver rakhi to Munishri Piyush Sagarji Maharaj. The organisers claimed that both the rakhis were the world’s smallest.

A representative each from Limca Book of Records and from Guinness World Records was present to judge the event and ensured that protocols were being followed during the programme. Similarly, at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan – Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Public School, the occasion was celebrated uniquely with more than 300 school children tying  rakhis to trees apart from tying the rakhi to each other. Former Karnataka High Court judge N Kumar presided over the programme.

The traditional festival, which ritually celebrates the love and responsibilities of brothers and their sisters was observed with enthusiasm across the city. Sisters who were away from their brothers, sent rakhis by courier and online stores along with greetings. "Every year, I look forward to celebrating the festival as I get to meet my cousin sisters and their families. This time, all my relatives and cousin sisters gathered at my place though it was a weekday. We exchanged gifts and rakhis followed by a sumptuous  lunch," said Shishir Jain, a resident of Rajajinagar.

At BJP party office too, the festival was observed with fervour. Around 100 men and women party workers tied rakhis to each other. Party general secretary Ravi Kumar, president, state BJP Minority Morcha Abdul Azeem and others stressed on the importance of the festival.