Rakhi (Rakshabandhan) Traditions from Indian History

Rakshabandhan is a unique festival of India. It has been celebrated for ages and is still hugely popular today.

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On the occasion of Rakshabandhan, brothers and sisters pray for the well being of each other, and wish them happiness and goodwill. The sisters perform an aarti ceremony before their brothers and then tie the sacred thread Rakhi, on their wrists. The Rakhi was traditionally a simple cotton or silk thread usually woven at home, but nowadays the markets are flooded with ready-made Rakhi threads in fancy designs. The Rakhi is the most significant part of the festival and Rakshabandhan is also popularly known as Rakhi festival. In Indian traditions, the Rakhi has a very important place. It is considered that when a woman ties the thread on anyone, he naturally becomes honor bound to treat her like his real sister and safeguard her from all harm. Many instances from Indian history illustrate this glorious tradition. Rani Karnawati, the widowed queen of Chittor sent a Rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun when the kingdom of Chittor was being attacked by Bahadur Shah. Touched by this gesture, Humayun is said to have set out immediately with his army to aid the queen of Chittor. Even Alexander the Great during was protected in battlefield by an honor-bound King Porus after he was tied a Rakhi by Alexander’s wife.

The tradition of helping and safeguarding is an act of the pledge taken by the brothers to keep and protect their sisters from all harm in return of the Rakhis. Traditionally it was only the brothers who present their sisters with gifts, but these days the sisters’ too present gifts to their brothers. The custom of gifts is very important and brothers everywhere, make sure their sisters receive the most delightful gifts on the occasion. And even when they cannot be present in person they still send Rakhi gifts for sister through postal or courier services.

Nowadays, there are also numerous shopping websites providing Rakhi delivery services to destinations all over the country and the world. The web portals feature varied Rakhi gift ideas for sister from where one can choose the best gifts and send them to their siblings for Rakshabandhan.

Candles and Cake Traditions on Birthdays

Birthdays are always a grand and happy affair with lots of celebrations and feasting. It is a day of wishes and gifts. On the occasion of birthdays, a birthday party is often convened in honor of the celebrant. And we could not imagine a birthday celebration without the presence of a cake as it is the main highlight of the celebrations. People usually order lavish and elaborate cakes on birthdays. The cake is often decorated with lit candles indicating the age of the boy or girl celebrating their birthdays. The celebrant blows off the candles in front of all the guests and makes a silent wish.  He or she then cuts the cake and offer it to a loved one after which each and everyone share a piece of the birthday cake. Thus the birthday cakes are integral to the occasion.

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The origins of the birthday cake can be traced back to the Middle Ages and from Germany. The Germans used to celebrate a festival called Kinderfest on the occasion of their children’s birthdays. The celebrations involved cakes even though the cakes of that time were only a coarse, bread-like product. And the traditions of birthday candles are considered to have originated out of Ancient Greece. The Greeks used to honor Artemis, the goddess of the moon with round cakes filled with lit candles. The candles on the cake were symbolic of lunar light and the smoke drifting from the candles were the carrier of their wishes and prayers to the Gods who lived above.

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Nowadays the traditions are followed almost all over the world by different cultures and the birthday cake too has become a popular gift item. From its humble origins, the cake has now risen to the status of being the most versatile of all food items. They are now available in different shapes, sizes and flavors such as butterscotch, vanilla and the ever popular chocolate. The rise of designer and photo cakes has provided opportunities for personalizing these cake gifts. With new technology and advanced printing techniques, it is easy to get any image imprinted on the surface of a cake. These photo cakes are immensely popular on birthdays as personalized birthday cakes with an image of the celebrant are most apt and fitting tributes for the occasion. These unique Birthday cakes are a hit with little children too as they can also be embossed with the images of their favorite cartoon or movie characters.

Anniversary - Special Occasions Demand Special Gifts

Anniversaries are landmark occasions in the married life of any couple. It is a day when they can look nostalgically to the day they set out together in the journey of life and plan for the rest of the trip ahead. Whether they are newly married or old couples, a wedding anniversary is always a special occasion that calls for a celebration. Special occasions demand special gifts and a wedding anniversary is no exception.

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In this fast paced world of today, we sometimes need to slow down to appreciate our loved ones and especially our partners. Renew your romance with a thoughtful and meaningful gift on the occasion of your anniversary. Some of the best anniversary gifts for him are available online. Choose a gift that will complement his personal flair, it will be something that will delight him to no end. Men love to groom themselves and spent a lot of time in front of the dressing mirror; pamper him with an exclusive gift set with his favorite perfumes and toiletries. Among the most popular anniversary gifts for men, watches are an item on top of the list. A watch is a memorable gift and he will be reminded of your love every time he looks at his wrists, choose a watch that match is personality and lifestyle. A sports watch for the physical outdoor type or golden watches for that suave and elegant gentleman are some options.

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Personalization makes your gifts more memorable and extra special. With the rapid advancement in technology, the options for personalized gifts are limitless. Applying digital photos or monograms to just about anything from lighters to coffee mugs is now an easy task. Browse from a selection of personalized gifts from leading specialty gift retailers and create a gift that is one of a kind and will mean much to him. He will definitely recognize and appreciate the effort and time you have put in to present a unique and memorable anniversary gift for him.

Celebrate the wonderful occasion of your wedding anniversary by sharing your love and wishing him the best with a complimentary gift for your husband.

Celebrating Sibling Relationships with Rakhi and Gifts

The relationship between a brother and sister is a priceless gift. Since they grew up and spent a lot of time together they know each other much better than anyone else and they become part of one’s another identity. Sisters and brothers are the best of friends and often they take the task of taking care of the others. It is one of the most endearing relationships of human beings.

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The traditional Indian festival of Rakshabandhan celebrates this special relationship. It is celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu calendar month of Shravana which is usually in August. Traditionally, the brothers visit their sisters on this day. Sisters perform Poojas and pray for the well-being and long-life of their brothers. They also tie the Rakhi, which is a silk or cotton bracelet, typically bearing elaborate ornamentation, on the brother’s wrist. The brothers in return take a solemn vow to protect and safeguard her always and also present her with gifts. Like the very name Rakshabandhan suggests which means a bond of protection, the festival is meant to enhance the bond of love, affection and trust between brothers and sisters.

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Though Rakshabandhan is mainly a celebration of real brothers and sisters, it is not exclusive or limited to them only. People tie Rakhis on the wrists of anyone whom they consider as brothers whether they are friends, relatives, neighbors or acquaintances. It is maintained that when a woman ties the Rakhi around the wrist of any male, then it becomes his duty to treat her as a real sister and protect her from all harm. History is ripe with instances of this and people also tie Rakhi to strangers on this day in the spirit of the festival and too promote goodwill.

The gift giving tradition is also a unique aspect of this festival and they are given by the brothers to signal the acceptance of their relationship and as tokens of love and appreciation. But with the onset of time there has been a shift in gifting traditions. Nowadays, it is not only the brothers who present gifts but the sisters too present gifts to their brother. In the case of the brothers staying abroad or far from them, sister used to send Rakhi gifts for brothers either through courier or mail. This took a lot of time and was not always easy, but with the rise of the internet and the trend of online Rakhi shopping, sending Rakhi and gifts is a simple and hassle free affair now.

Gift a Plant and the Gift of Greenery

Blooming plants bring the beauty of Nature indoors and green plants provide some much-needed warmth into an otherwise bleak office. Gardening has now become more of a necessity now than being just a hobby. Due to climatic changes and ecological imbalance created due to poullation and urbanization it is all the more necessary to plant trees and shrubs to maintain the balance in the environment. Planting and gardening will help improve your environment, and also give you the psychological satisfaction of doing your part for the environment. And just a glance at a beautiful plant and its blooms will make anyone’s day.

So if you are planning to start a little garden of your own, look for a diverse range of indoor plants online. You will come across many a unique selection of plants, pots, and gardening essentials including flower plants, seeds, medicinal plants, herbal plants and other kitchen garden setup resources.

So, start indulging in your gardening activities today and reap the benefits of plants. A garden always gives a break from the solid, hard and cold look of the concrete jungle, and a green window will also improve your mental status and lift up the spirit of the house. There are also a lot of easy-care plants for beginners such as ribbon grass, peace lily, snake plant, jade plant, the lucky bamboo plant and many ornamental grasses which require less sunlight. These plants are ideal gifts for green thumbs, plant lovers or as a gift for the one who makes you smile. They also make a perfect gift for ceremonies and other occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. Whether you send fresh flowers or lush plants, your loved one will appreciate your thoughtfulness on his or her birthday. Gift a plant and plant a lasting smile on them. They are 100% eco-friendly, green, and sustainable and impactful gifts that suit all. You can arrange for these plants delivery direct to your home or office in unique, stylish containers that can be used for quite a long time.

Order your indoor plants online today, from blooming to flowering to vibrant green plants, they provide you the benefit of fresh air and a touch of beauty. You can go for orchid plants too as they also provide a nice touch of decor to any room in the home.

Importance of Floral Gifts for Anniversaries

Marriage anniversaries are always special occasions in the lives of any couple. Whether they are newly married or old couples, an anniversary is an opportune time to contemplate on the past and acknowledge how far you have come together on the journey of life together.

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Anniversaries are usually marked by celebrations and festivities in most households complete with cutting of cakes and gift giving. The tradition of anniversary gifts dates back even before the Roman Empire. Different gifts have signified different anniversaries throughout history, like tin and aluminum for a tenth anniversary. It has undergone some changes with the onset of time and nowadays people gift diamond jewelry as a first anniversary present instead of the traditional gift of aluminum. But anniversary gifts are not restricted to these traditional concepts alone nowadays people present a whole lot of different items ranging from cakes to flowers and chocolates to exclusive gift hampers on anniversaries.

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Gifts are meant to convey your wishes and regards and you want to find the perfect gifts that will to let the recipients know you share their happiness on their special occasion. There are numerous options for the best anniversary gift ideas available online. You can pick the right selection from these ranges of exclusive trending gifts. A gift of flowers as an anniversary present has always been the traditional first choice as flowers are complimentary to any celebration. A bouquet of freshly picked flowers is always a pleasant sight and brings instantaneous delight to the recipient. Flowers bring freshness and vitality into our lives and they can cheer anyone up in a matter of seconds. Anniversary flowers are available in bio-degradable and environment friendly options too. Choose from an array of the best blooms in season including roses, gerberas, carnations and orchids all tied up in neat and pretty arrangements. For a grand gesture, compliment your floral gifts with some delectable chocolates or a creamy cake along with a personalized message.

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Even if you can't be there in person for a friend's or your parents' anniversary you can still send your gifts in time for their special occasion. Order them online from any part of the world and have it delivered to a destination of your choice. Now distance does not have to be a hindrance in sharing love and joy on any occasion or festivities.

Cheerful Children's Birthday Cakes

Surprise your child or kids with their favorite cartoon character cakes.

Cakes form an integral part of any celebration or party and they embellish them with festivity and joy. Cakes have kept their image as 'treats' and maintain their ceremonial importance; they are often the dessert of choice for meals at ceremonial occasions particularly weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. Birthday cakes have been an integral part of the birthday ceremony since the middle of the 19th century. Certain rituals and traditions associated with birthday cakes such as blowing out candles and singing of birthday songs are common to many cultures. While throughout most of history, these elaborate cakes in general were the privilege of the wealthy, they are nowadays common to most birthday celebrations.

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They come in a variety of sizes, flavors and themes such as chocolate, tea and cheese cakes. Also available is an array of exclusive children’s birthday cakes in different designs such as cartoon and photo cakes. The cartoon cakes with the images of their favorite cartoon characters such as Batman, Tweety and Mickey Mouse are sure to delight your little one to no end. Most children are naturally fascinated with the animal world, and cakes such as a sea world inspired octopus cake will make your kid amaze in wonder at the breathtaking beauty of it. Sports cakes with cricket bat shaped toppings are also available for the sports enthusiast and they come in many different flavors including chocolate, butterscotch, pineapple and vanilla. These playful cakes will definitely be a huge hit with all the party guests too.

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You can also order personalized photo cakes for your loved ones and have a photograph of your choice embossed on the cake to make it unique and special. Two of the most popular choices among photo cakes are the classic pineapple and chocolate. Surprise your friends and dear ones with this exclusive cake and make them feel like an emperor or queen. Specialty cakes or designer cakes which are available in a full spectrum of flavors ranging from a traditional chocolate to raspberry-white chocolate are also one of the  popular childrens birthday cakes on huge demand these days.

Place an online order for the cake of your choice and have it delivered for your kid’s birthday. Special delivery options such as same day, fixed time or midnight delivery services are also available for destinations both domestic and abroad.