Raksha Bandhan is around the corner, so how are you going to surprise your sibling during this special occasion?
Well, as we all know, unlike other festivals, Raksha Bandhan is so special because it celebrates the bond between siblings.
Being a trusted partner in mischief during childhood to being a solid support in the later years, our siblings have always been there for us.
And Raksha Bandhan celebrates exactly this- tying a rakhi, symbolizing love and protection, exchanging gifts and sending rakhis and gifts if siblings are far away, bringing back all those sweet and nostalgic memories!
Today, Raksha Bandhan is not just about Blood-related siblings, but it is also celebrated with friends and extended family members.
Have you ever wondered how this tradition of tying rakhi started?
Here are some interesting stories about Raksha Bandhan and how it evolved into a festival transcending regions and religions!
Raksha Bandhan: Origin and Significance
The most popular story about Raksha Bandhan is related to Lord Krishna and Draupadi.
According to the epic Mahabharata, once, when Krishna injured his finger, Draupadi tore a piece of her sari and tied it around his wound to stop the bleeding. Moved by her action, Lord Krishna promised to protect her in need, which he later did.
Another story revolves around Yama, the god of death and his sister river Yamuna; when Yamuna tied Rakhi on Yama's wrist, he was touched by her action and blessed her with immortality. And a longer life to brothers who have a rakhi tied by their sister.
And it's not just legends; in medieval times, Rani Karnavati of Chittor, when her kingdom was attacked by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, sent a rakhi to Mughal emperor Humayun. Despite being in the middle of another war, Humayan rushed to help her.
Even though he couldn't make it in time and got defeated on the way, still the chittor was later restored with her son as the ruler with the help of the Mughal army
During the Swadeshi movement, while protesting against the partition of Bengal by the British, Rabindranath Tagore encouraged tying rakhi among people of different communities as a symbol of unity.
So, today rakhi evolved as a sacred thread invoking so many emotions, memories, deep bonds of protection and cultural unity for Indians across the globe.
Well, let me ask again, during this Raksha Bandhan, how are you gonna surprise your sibling? How about you cook some healthy recipes for your brother? Too lazy or busy to cook? Perhaps you could think about buying a healthy snacking gift!
Whether it's for gifting or simply to elevate the festive mood, it is important to follow mindful eating, especially during the festive season, as many sweets are made and brought to fill your home. Remember fighting with your sibling for all those yummy and colourful sweets made by mom?
So, today how about we explore some healthy recipes and their nutritional benefits to make this year's Raksha Bandhan healthy and special?
1. Sugar-free Dry Fruit Laddu
Well, how could any festival be complete without our beloved laddus? And dry fruits ladoos or mewa laddus is a nutritious traditional recipe with lots of dry fruits and it's a top pick as a healthy snack exactly because of this.
Why Are Dry Fruits Good for You and Your Sibling?
Let's see a few dry fruits and their health benefits
- Walnuts: Provide 654 kcal/100g and are a good source of manganese, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary fibre.
- Pistachios: Provide 562 kcal/100g and are a good source of protein, vitamin B6, iron, and potassium.
- Cashews: Provide 553 kcal/100g and are a good source of copper, manganese, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium.
- Almonds: Provide 579 kcal/100g and are a good source of vitamin E, iron, calcium and protein.
- Dates: lower glycemic index compared to refined sugar and a good source of dietary fibre, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron and vitamin B6.
To Know more read our previous articles on walnuts and cashew nuts, almonds and pistachios, and dates
Now you must be wondering how to make dry fruit laddus, first roast chopped almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pistachios in ghee until they turn crunchy.
Now it's time to cook chopped dates and figs. Take around 2 to 3 dates, depending on your preference for sweetness, and Cook them in ghee until they turn soft and sticky.
Add the roasted nuts, raisins, cardamom powder and spices of your choice with the cooked dates and figs in a bowl. Mix well and let the mixture cool slightly.
Now you can shape it into round and healthy, nutritious ladoos!
To make your Raksha Bandhan special Dry fruit ladoos more nutritious, you can add seeds like melon and pumpkin seeds.
2. Pumpkin Seeds Kheer
Kheer is a must-have dessert for any festival. On this year's Raksha Bandhan, how about you add a healthy twist to the kheer with Pumpkin seeds?
Do you know that pumpkin seeds have been considered a superfood since ancient times?
Why are Pumpkin Seeds a Superfood?
- Provides 574 kcal/100g
- Good source of zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, PUFA, MUFA, potassium, vitamin E and dietary fibre.
- Helps to manage blood sugar
- Contains tryptophan known for promoting sleep.
- Possess anti-inflammatory properties
Source: sciencedirect.com, fdc.nal.usda.gov
To make yummy pumpkin seed kheer, Soak pumpkin seeds in water overnight. Blend the seeds with a little water/milk and grind them into a paste.
Heat ghee in a pan, add the pumpkin seed paste and cook stirring continuously.
Gradually add the milk, stirring well and bring it to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer until the kheer thickens. Stir in grated jaggery and continue to cook until it completely dissolves. Add cardamom powder, and now the rich aroma of cooked kheer is gonna make your sibling hungry and won't be able to resist any more!
Finally, garnish with nuts and pumpkin seeds!
3. Ginger Barfi
The ginger, also called ‘universal medicine' in Ayurveda can be added to make delicious barfi on Raksha Bandhan. Before we explore the ginger barfi, let's see what makes ginger one of the healthiest ingredients.
Why is Ginger Good for Health?
- low-calorie and contains no fat
- Aids digestion Boosts immunity and possesses anti-inflammatory properties
- Helps in Blood sugar regulation, nausea relief and pain management
- Promote lactation in new mothers
To know more explore:The universal medicine-ginger
You can make a simple Raksha Bandhan special ginger barfi with grated ginger, cardamom, milk, jaggery and ghee. Simply make a paste with ginger, cardamom and milk. Roast it in ghee then mix in sugar or any healthy sugar alternative and dry fruits of your choice.
Pour the mixture onto a greased plate and cut them into desired shapes once it cools down.
If you are looking for a healthier and less sweeter version you can try making barf with spices and jaggery.
Cook jaggery, till a thick syrup is formed. Then add grated ginger, stir and cook. Add ghee and mix well, followed by the powder of spices like Cumin, Black pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Indian bay leaf, coriander powder etc,
After cooking the above ingredients spread the content on a plate greased with ghee. Sesame seeds may be added to make it more healthy.
Let it cool before cutting it into pieces!
4. Millet Ladoos / Bajra Ladoo
Millets are the talk of the town nowadays. Have you ever wondered why so many folks are talking about millets? Well here are some reasons.
Why are Bajra/Pearl millet so sought-after?
- Low-calorie and gluten-free
- Rich source of iron and high in protein content
- Helps in weight loss and keeps diabetes in check
- Regulate blood pressure and supports bone development
More on millets: celebrating the legacy of humanity's oldest dietary ally
One of the best ways to add millet to your festive diet is by making delicious ladoos. They are also long-lasting, so you can surprise your sibling by sending a pack of millet ladoos on Raksha Bandhan!
To make simple millet Ladoos. Grate jaggery and combine it with ghee. Add bajra flour and Mix everything thoroughly to form a dough, then shape it into ladoos while the mixture is still warm.
This is a no-cook version of millet ladoos. If you want a healthier option you can try making millet ladoos with mixed millet, nuts, seeds and spices like ginger powder.
Raksha Bandhan: Cherishing the Siblingbond and Embracing Mindful Eating
Amidst any festivities, it is important to be mindful of what we eat, as there are so many tempting festive dishes which may not be healthy.
So, be choosy not just about rakhis for your brother but also about what you eat and share with the family!
If you are planning to surprise your sibling with a thoughtful gift, check out Mama Nourish Laddubar Rakhi Gift Box, a happy mix of nutritious traditional grandma recipes reimagined to meet today's fast-paced lifestyle.
