Raksha Bandhan is a major Hindu festival, symbolising bonds of mutual protection within families and within communities. For Armed Forces Hindus, Raksha Bandhan holds particular significance as it’s a chance to celebrate and emphasise the duty the Armed Forces have to protect their society.
The Armed Forces Hindu Network will hold Raksha Bandhan ceremonies at different locations around the UK. At each location, members of local Hindu youth groups will tie Rakhis (thread bracelets) on the wrists of Service personnel from local Armed Forces units. In addition to these Rakhis representing and reinforcing the bonds of friendship, brotherhood, mutual protection and support – the bands will also represent society’s protection of its Armed Forces. This latter representation heralds from when Sachi, wife of Lord Indra (King of Heaven), tied a sacred protective amulet to his wrist before he went into battle with evil King Bali, whom he ultimately defeated.
The final Raksha Bandhan event will be held at the Ministry of Defence, where members of the Armed Forces Hindu Network will tie Rakhi on the wrists of senior representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces to represent how the bond of protection between employee and employer.
There will be key note speakers at each event talking about the role of the Armed Forces Hindu Network and recognising the role of the Armed Forces within our society. The events will be accompanied by classical dance and music by local Hindu artists, and will finish with a meal for all to join.
Hindus have long made a huge contribution to UK Defence. During WW1, some 750,000 Hindus deployed overseas in British Indian Army, earning 8 Victoria Crosses – the most prestigious award within the military; 3 Hindu RFC fighter pilots fought in WW1 earning 1 Distinguished Flying Cross; Hindus also served in Royal Indian Marine and as ‘lascars’ (seamen on merchant and Royal Navy ships) – 20% of British maritime strength by end of WW1 was Indian. During WWII, over 1.25 million Hindus fought in British Indian Army, including in Europe, Africa and Asia earning 18 Victoria Crosses; Hindu pilots flew in both RAF and Indian Air Force, including during Blitz; Royal Indian Navy played prominent role even in European operations. There are currently 950 Hindus serving in UK Armed Forces.
The values of the Armed Forces such as courage, commitment, discipline, respect, integrity and loyal perfectly reflect Hindu core values as illustrated in many Hindu epics and Scriptures, including Raksha Bandhan itself, which is festival of Commitment, Respect and Loyalty.
Locations and time:
Bradford: 24th August; 4:45pm – 7pm; Bradford Hindu Mandir, Bradford BD3 9LS
Edinburgh: 24th August; 9:45am – 12pm; Edinburgh Hindu Mandir, Edinburgh EH6 7EG
Birmingham: 25th August; 9:45am – 12pm; Tirupathi Balaji Temple, West Midlands B69 3DU
London: 27th August; 9:45am – 12pm Ministry of Defence, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB
