Raksha Bandhan 2026 Date and Rakhi Muhurat
Raksha Bandhan 2026 was observed on Friday, 28 August 2026. Rakhi tying time (New Delhi): 5:57 AM – 9:48 AM IST.
Raksha Bandhan 2026 date and Purnima tithi
Raksha Bandhan 2026: Friday, 28 August 2026 (observed)
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on Shravana Purnima. In 2026 Purnima tithi began at 9:08 AM on 27 August and ended at 9:48 AM on 28 August (New Delhi). Bhadra (Vishti karana), during which rakhi is traditionally not tied, ended before sunrise on the 28th, so the rakhi window ran from sunrise until Purnima ended.
| Window (New Delhi) | Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Rakhi thread ceremony, 28 Aug | 5:57 AM – 9:48 AM |
| Bhadra | Ended before sunrise on 28 Aug |
| Purnima tithi | 9:08 AM (27 Aug) – 9:48 AM (28 Aug) |
A partial lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan) also fell on 28 August 2026. Families who follow eclipse rules completed the ceremony according to their own panchang.
Significance
Sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers’ wrists and pray for their well-being, and brothers promise to protect them. The story most often told is that of Indra’s wife Shachi tying a protective thread on Indra before his battle with the asuras; another is Draupadi binding Krishna’s wounded finger with a strip of her sari. Today the bond is celebrated between cousins, friends and all who see each other as siblings.
Rituals
- Prepare a thali with rakhi, roli, rice, a diya and sweets.
- Apply tilak to the brother, tie the rakhi on his right wrist, perform aarti and share sweets.
- Brothers give a gift and a promise of protection.
Same day, other observances
Shravana Purnima is also traditionally linked with Gayatri Jayanti, Upakarma (Avani Avittam, changing the sacred thread; some communities fix it by nakshatra), Narali Purnima on the Konkan coast and Jhulan Purnima. Onam (Thiruvonam) fell on 26 August 2026.
Panchang for the day
Panchang for 28 August 2026 (New Delhi).
Raksha Bandhan 2027
Raksha Bandhan 2027 is listed on Tuesday, 17 August 2027.
Related
All times are IST for New Delhi unless stated otherwise. Muhurat changes with your city’s sunrise, sunset and moonrise: check today’s Panchang for your location. Outside India the date can differ; use your local panchang. Sources: Drik Panchang (New Delhi), cross-checked with Free Panchang’s own calculation (Lahiri ayanamsa); AstroSage 2026 festival calendar.
Frequently asked questions
- Raksha Bandhan 2026 kab tha?
- Raksha Bandhan 2026 was on Friday, 28 August 2026.
- What was the rakhi muhurat in 2026?
- In New Delhi the rakhi time was 5:57 AM to 9:48 AM IST on 28 August 2026; Bhadra had ended before sunrise.
- Was there an eclipse on Raksha Bandhan 2026?
- Yes, a partial lunar eclipse fell on Shravana Purnima, 28 August 2026.