Indian Leaders and Citizens Celebrate Raksha Bandhan Across States

Indian government leaders and citizens celebrated Raksha Bandhan on August 28, 2026, with events spanning the country. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, issued social media greetings emphasizing prosperity and the unbreakable bond between brothers and sisters. Singh specifically linked the festival to the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women.

State-level celebrations integrated themes of nationalism and conservation. In West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari tied rakhis to Indian Army personnel and NCC cadets during a ceremony themed Rashtrabader Bandhan, or Bond of Nationalism. In Bihar, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary participated in a Tree Protection Day event in Patna, where rakhis were tied to trees to promote environmental conservation. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu received rakhis from women across his state, noting the tradition's role in passing down life values.

Public festivities occurred in several cities. In Banihal, Jammu and Kashmir, local girls tied rakhis to Indian Army jawans, while in Kolkata, women tied rakhis to BJP leader Dilip Ghosh. In Varanasi, a rakhi was offered to Lord Shri Visheshwara during the Mangala Aarti. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also extended wishes to his residents, highlighting the rakhi's role in upholding family values.