Rakhri is a hindu tradition celebrated throughout the world by many different people. It’s unfortunate to see however that many Sikhs also indulge in this festival. However is there any significance to this whatsoever. 

First off, what is the history behind rakhri? Well initially there are many stories within hindu mythology aas  to where rakhri came from. Some people connect it to Draupadi who tied a rakhri on Krishna, some people link it to Bhagat prahlad. However an accepted fact by all hindu intellectuals is that rakhri gained its popularity during 1536-1538 when Rani Karnavati, the queen of chittor sent a rakhri to mughal emperor humayun asking for his protection because she was going to be attacked by bahadur shah. 

So this history in itself has absolutely zero link with the Sikhs whatsoever. So why do sikhs seem to celebrate it? This is based on two things. The first is that in recent years, our minds have been conditioned to accept things that are not part of our traditions, like Christmas, Holi and wearing a tilak. None of these mean anything to Gursikhs, and yet for some reason we seem to follow them. That comes from the influence of the ideological siege used by a country to create uniformity. 

The second relies on the fact that the punjabi culture does not reflect sikhi in itself. Sikhi is a religion that preaches mental, physical and spiritual freedom, as well as diversity. Punjabi culture does not contain these values as it is a mixture of people from different backgrounds, faiths and beliefs. Due to this influence from the Punjabi culture certain paintings were made that are not reflective of Gursikhi, and because we were so used to paintings we just accepted them. 

Paintings made of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji accepting a rakhri from Bebe Nanaki Ji is completely incorrect. Why you may ask? Because even if rakhri started in 1536, Bebe Nanaki Ji left this world in 1518. Guru Nanak Sahib rejected Hindu traditions from a young age when they rejected the janeyu. 

ਦਇਆ ਕਪਾਹ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸੂਤੁ ਜਤੁ ਗੰਢੀ ਸਤੁ ਵਟੁ ॥

dhiaa kapaeh sa(n)tokh soot jat ga(n)ddee sat vaT ||

Make compassion the cotton, contentment the thread, modesty the knot and truth the twist.

ਏਹੁ ਜਨੇਊ ਜੀਅ ਕਾ ਹਈ ਤ ਪਾਡੇ ਘਤੁ ॥

eh janeuoo jeea kaa hiee ta paadde ghat ||

This is the sacred thread of the soul; if you have it, then go ahead and put it on me.

ਨਾ ਏਹੁ ਤੁਟੈ ਨਾ ਮਲੁ ਲਗੈ ਨਾ ਏਹੁ ਜਲੈ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥

naa eh tuTai naa mal lagai naa eh jalai na jai ||

It does not break, it cannot be soiled by filth, it cannot be burnt, or lost.

ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਮਾਣਸ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜੋ ਗਲਿ ਚਲੇ ਪਾਇ ॥

dha(n)nu su maanas naanakaa jo gal chale pai ||

Blessed are those mortal beings, O Nanak, who wear such a thread around their necks.

Rakhri, just like a janeyu will break, can be lost or soiled, so where is there any need for us to wear it. So it’s these kinds of rituals that make absolutely no sense for sikhs to be following. Any other religion can follow it if they choose, but for Sikhs it’s important that we don’t.

It’s these ideas that fall into bipran ki reet or the way of the brahmin. Rakhri is based on the idea that a sister must seek protection from her brother, yet our Sikh history is full of women who fought in wars.

In Sikhi a woman is given a kirpan just like a man, so she should be able to defend herself as well. Many people get annoyed when you discuss this issue because they feel that this is a vow to your sister. And based on modern thinking, how is a thread meant to protect you? But when it comes down to it, how many of you watching  would save anyone, male or female if they were in trouble. Most people nowadays would pull out their phones and start recording it. Its this bipran ki reet that Guru Gobind Singh ji maharaj warns us about;

ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੀ ਫ਼ੌਜ ॥
khhaalasaa akaal purakh ki fauj ||
Khalsa is God’s Army

ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਓ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਤਮ ਕੀ ਮੌਜ ॥
pragattiou khhaalasaa pramaatham kee mauj ||
It’s sustained by the Will of the Almighty

ਜਬ ਲਗ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਰਹੇ ਨਿਆਰਾ ॥
jab lag khhaalasaa rehae niaaraa ||
While the Khalsa remains pure

ਤਬ ਲਗ ਤੇਜ ਕੀਉ ਮੈਂ ਸਾਰਾ ॥
thab lag thaej keeo mai(n) saaraa ||
I will give it all my strength

ਜਬ ਇਹ ਗਹੈ ਬਿਪਰਨ ਕੀ ਰੀਤ ॥
jab eih gehai biparan kee reeth ||
When they mimic the habits of others

ਮੈਂ ਨ ਕਰੋਂ ਇਨ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਤ ॥
mai(n) n karo(n) ein kee pratheeth ||
I will not offer it my assistance.

Also in shastar naam mala;

ਸਾਗ ਸਰੋਹੀ ਸੈਫ ਅਸਿ ਤੀਰ ਤੁਪਕ ਤਰਵਾਰਿ ॥

saag sarohee saif as teer tupak taravaar ||

O Lord! Protect us by creating Saang, Sarohi, Saif (Sword), As, Teer (arrow) tupak (gun), Talwaar (sword)

ਸਤ੍ਰਾਤਕਿ ਕਵਚਾਤਿ ਕਰ ਕਰੀਐ ਰਛ ਹਮਾਰਿ ॥੧॥

satraatak kavachaat kar kareeaai rachh hamaar ||1||

and other weapons and armours causing the destruction of the enemies.1.

The hope is that the khalsa will spend more time being the lions they are instead of being sheep and following the masses. After all Guru sahib tells us;

ਨਿਉਲੀ ਕਰਮ ਦੂਧਾਧਾਰੀ ਬਿਦਿਆਧਰ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਚਾਰੀ ਧਿਆਨ ਕੋ ਲਗਾਵੈ ਨੈਕ ਧਿਆਨ ਹੂੰ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ ॥

niaulee karam dhoodhaadhaaree bidhiaadhar brahamachaaree dhiaan ko lagaavai naik dhiaan hoo(n) na paieeaai ||

The Yogis performing Neoli Karma (cleansing of intestines), those subsisting only on milk, learned and celibates, all meditate upon Him, but without an iota of getting His comprehension.

Many types of rituals are done by many different people, but every single one of them doesn’t provide any spiritual knowledge.