Keeping it festive: How to make Raksha Bandhan special at home
But how to make it special at home:Arrange the thali with a diya, rakhi, roli, sweetsAdd some fresh flowers for a fragrant touchSet some devotional or instrumental music in the background to set the mood.TURN YOUR HOME INTO A RUNWAYWhether you are staying in or going out, do not forget to dress up, as dressing up adds to the joy and makes the day even more special.Choose bright ethnic fits like sarees, kurtas, or lehengasSlay the tradition with comfort by trying Indo-Western outfitsTry twinning your outfit with your siblings for memorable pictures.SAVOUR THE FLAVOURSFood is the heart and centre of attraction of any celebration, and a Raksha Bandhan is no exception. It asks for the indulgence in sweets and savouries that you and your siblings grew up loving. But you can always give a modern twist to it.Try baking a rakhi-themed cakeSet up a DIY chaat counter at your homeMake your sweets healthier with jaggery, dates, or oats for a guilt-free treat.GIFTS WITH THOUGHTSWhile doing the most-awaited part of the ritual, the thing that will matter is the thoughts. So, this Raksha Bandhan, try giving meaningful gifts to each other.You can gift handmade cards or memory booksSubscription boxes for books, snacks, or skincareA wellness gift like a fitness tracker, yoga mat, or spa voucher.ADD YOUR TRADITIONEvery family has its quirks, be it inside jokes, favourite music or post-rakhi games. Use them to make the day as special as possible.Watch sibling-themed moviesEnd the evening with a toast, be it with chai, sharbat or mocktailsPlay a round of Antakshari or board games after lunch.KEEP THE SPIRIT ALIVE BEYOND THE DAYadvertisementRakhi is an annual celebration, but the bond that it celebrates is treasured, celebrated and lived lifelong. So, do not forget to connect.Check on each other regularlyShare life updates, celebrations and events with each otherStand by each other during difficult times because that's what Raksha Bandhan truly means.Whether you're following the traditional custom or giving it a modern spin, Raksha Bandhan is a lot more than just tying a thread. It is a pause that we need in our busy lives, and to have a moment of joy and belonging with our loved ones. So, this rakhi tells your sibling that you've got their back. In a world that's always rushing ahead, a promise is worth holding on to.- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
5 viral Western food hacks that actually came from India centuries ago
You know how some food hacks suddenly blow up on social media like they're brand-new inventions? Well, here's a fun truth — many of these clever tricks actually started in India hundreds of years ago. Before avocado toast or air-fried goodies were a thing, Indian kitchens were already rocking simple, genius methods that make food tastier, healthier, and easier to whip up. Let's take a look at a few popular Western food hacks that have roots deep in Indian culinary traditions. Using yogurt as a tenderiser Marinating meat in yogurt isn't just delicious; it's an ancient Indian secret to tender, juicy results. Yogurt's natural enzymes break down tough fibres without turning the meat mushy. This trick's all over the internet now, but Indian cooks have been using it forever – especially in kebabs and rich, slow-cooked curries. Yogurt doesn't just soften the meat, it also adds a nice little tang and keeps everything juicy. It just works, plain and simple. Steaming food to lock in nutrition Steaming vegetables and dumplings is praised these days for being a healthy cooking method that preserves nutrients. Guess who's been perfecting this technique for ages? Indian cuisine, especially in the north and northeast, has plenty of steamed dishes like momos and idlis that are light, healthy, and easy on digestion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Steaming keeps the natural flavours intact without drowning everything in oil or butter. Using spices to boost metabolism Tossing in a bit of turmeric, cinnamon, or black pepper is suddenly a big deal in the wellness world – all about boosting metabolism and fighting inflammation. But in India, these spices have been everyday essentials for ages. They're not just about taste; they've always been used to help with digestion and keep the body in check. That cinnamon in your coffee thing? Just a modern spin on something India's been doing forever. Pickling to preserve and enhance flavours Quick pickles and fermented foods are all the rage for gut health in the West, but India's pickle game goes way back. Indian pickles use sun, salt, and spices to preserve everything from mangoes to lemons and chillies. These pickles aren't just flavourful; the fermentation process supports digestion and gut bacteria, making them one of the earliest forms of probiotics that people swear by today. Using lentils to add protein and texture Throwing lentils into soups or salads for that extra protein hit is all the rage right now – but honestly, India's been doing it forever. Lentils have always been a daily thing, not just for the nutrients but also for the way they add heartiness and texture to food. Take dal, for example, it's simple, comforting, and seriously filling. It's funny how what's been a basic in Indian homes for ages is now being 'discovered' by the rest of the world.
India.com
15 hours ago
- India.com
From Shreyas Iyer To Rishabh Pant: Here's How Indian Cricketers Celebrated Rakshabandhan 2025
photoDetails english 2943939 Updated:Aug 10, 2025, 09:48 AM IST Akash Deep 1 / 10 Akash Deep celebrated Rakhi with his sisters after returning from a memorable tour of England. Shreyas Iyer 2 / 10 Shreyas Iyer marked the occasion with his sister, Shresta Iyer. Deepak Chahar 3 / 10 Deepak Chahar celebrated the festival with his sister, Malti Chahar. Suryakumar Yadav 4 / 10 Suryakumar Yadav tied the Rakhi in Mumbai with his sister, Dina Yadav. Rinku Singh 5 / 10 Rinku Singh celebrated Rakhi with his sister, Neha Singh. Harbhajan Singh 6 / 10 Harbhajan Singh enjoyed the festivities with his sisters. Virender Sehwag 7 / 10 Virender Sehwag celebrated the day with his sister, Manju Sehwag. Rishabh Pant 8 / 10 Rishabh Pant marked Rakhi at home after a fabulous tour of England. Yuzvendra Chahal 9 / 10 Yuzvendra Chahal celebrated the festival with his sister, Geeta Chahal. 10 / 10
India Today
16 hours ago
- India Today
Why urban hobosexuality is quite a thing in India now (or at least becoming one)
Home Prices Rise Up to 14% in Top Indian Cities Led by Premium DemandProperty Prices in 13 Indian Cities See 8-Point Rise in March 2025Average Residential Property Prices Expected to Rise by 6.5% in 2025 Amid Luxury Segment GrowthDelhi NCR, Bengaluru Lead Housing Price Surge; 1BHK Demand Rises Amid Affordability ConcernsDo you see a similarity in these headlines? You don't need to be a real estate expert to figure it out that property prices are at an all-time high in India's metro cities. And when buying a home gets harder, rents inevitably follow suit. That means living alone or even upgrading from a cramped flat to a slightly bigger one is becoming a distant dream for many urban combine skyrocketing housing costs with the city's emotional loneliness, and you get a ripe environment for something rather unexpected, urban hobosexuality. Behind the slightly cheeky label lies a very real dynamic: people entering relationships less for love and more for a place to live, often leaning financially and emotionally on their partner without offering much in is hobosexuality? At its core, hobosexuality refers to a pattern where someone enters a romantic relationship primarily for housing or financial support, often under the guise of a deep emotional the term itself might feel like clickbait, the lived reality is anything but light-hearted. It's a growing psychological and relational phenomenon that's emerging in urban India, quietly and just a western buzzwordThe term 'hobosexual' originally surfaced in Western internet culture, used colloquially to describe someone who dates primarily for shelter (like we saw Matthew McConaughey in Failure to Launch). In India, it is catching ground. Why, you ask? Of course, the sky-high rents are to blame (and some stingy individuals too). Not that we are making a case for hobosexuals, but isn't that true? Metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, where housing is expensive, the dating scene is getting increasingly transactional. Dr. Chandni Tugnait, psychotherapist and founder-director of Gateway of Healing, says, 'We're increasingly seeing individuals, particularly women, getting involved with partners who bring little to the table - emotionally, financially, or logistically, but take up disproportionate space in their lives. The relationship appears romantic on the surface, but there's often a hidden power imbalance where one partner is clearly benefiting more than the other.'When romance feels like responsibilityTake the story of Ankita (name changed), for instance, a successful entrepreneur in her late 30s. 'It felt romantic at first,' she recalls. 'I believed we were in love, therefore readily agreed to welcome him home. But I was footing the rent and carrying the weight of the relationship alone.'Over time, she noticed a disturbing pattern. 'He wouldn't split the rent and would compensate with little things like taking the dog for a walk or cooking sometimes. When I needed him emotionally, he was nowhere to be found,' she that kind of emotional bait that is really tough to spot at first. To some extent, our modern dating culture can take the blame for these associations. Love bombing, fast-tracked closeness, and performative vulnerability blur the lines between affection and manipulation. The red flags are so hard to emotional economy of urban livingHobosexuality is actually a reflection of the society we live in. Don't believe? A report from Deloitte, titled "2025 Gen Z and Millennial Work Survey" states that more than 50 per cent of millennial and Gen Z employees are living paycheck to paycheck in costs in metro cities often swallow over 40 per cent of a single person's income. For instance, a person living in Mumbai will spend at least 48 per cent of his income in housing.'Add to that the cultural pressure to settle down, the glorification of struggle, and a deep-rooted saviour complex many people carry, and you have a cocktail that allows hobosexual dynamics to thrive,' says Dr. Tugnait.'What makes it even more dangerous is that it's often disguised as devotion. You're not just paying rent, you're paying for the illusion of companionship.'Love needs empathyCalling out hobosexuality isn't about demonising people who are struggling. Nor is it a call for hyper-independence. But it is about building relationships based on equality and awareness, not emotional convenience.- Ends
