The festival of Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on Friday, 28 August, 2026. Rakhi tying muhurat for New Delhi is from 5:57 AM to 9:48 AM. Since the morning is short, the sisters should have the puja thali ready before the ritual begins.Rakhi thali is not merely a festival plate. It holds prayer, protection, love, blessings and family emotion. There is a meaning to everything put in it. With due care taken in preparing the thali, the Rakhi ritual becomes more sacred and complete.Here are the key items sisters should have in a puja thali before tying Rakhi.
Rakhi
The first and foremost is Rakhi. Select a clean and respectful Rakhi. It may be simple, colourful, traditional, handmade or designer.Don’t buy a broken, damaged, dirty or carelessly-looking Rakhi. The thread is a symbol of protection and should be treated with respect before the ceremony.
Roli or Kumkum
Tilak is made with roli or kumkum. It’s the start of the ritual, and it brings good energy. Put it in a small bowl or container. The tilak is a symbol of blessings, honour, and good wishes for the brother’s well-being.
Akshat
Akshat means unbroken grains of rice. It is worn after the tilak and is a symbol of completeness, prosperity and purity.Use whole, dry, clean rice grains. If you can, avoid broken rice. You can mix a few grains with roli or keep them separately.
Diya
The diya lights up the ritual. It represents positivity, protection and the presence of God.Put a small diya with ghee or oil on the thali. Light it before the Rakhi ceremony. Keep fresh sweets in a thali.
Sweet
Sweets and Raksha Bandhan are inseparable. Sisters tie rakhi on their brother’s wrist and offer them sweets as a symbol of love and happiness. Keep it safe and away from the rakhi or clothes. You can use laddoo, barfi, peda, kaju katli, or any sweet liked by the family.
Water Kalash or Small Bowl
A small bowl of water may be kept for purity and ritual use. Some families also keep a small kalash near the place of puja.Water is a cleansing and calming energy. It sanctifies the occasion.
Flowers
Use fresh flowers to decorate the thali for a beautiful and devotional look. Flowers are the symbol of purity, joy and blessing.Use marigold, rose, jasmine, or any clean, fresh flower available at home.
Rice, Chandan and Mauli
Some families also add sandalwood paste, mauli thread, betel leaves, coconut, dry fruits, coins or a small gift to the thali. These are according to family tradition.Sisters should keep the thali in good order, wear decent clothes and maintain a peaceful mood. A well-arranged Rakhi pooja thali makes the festival more meaningful and full of love.
