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With the beginning of August, the festive season in India has officially begun. And the much-awaited Rakshabandhan is just around the corner. And no, we are not talking about the movie!

The Rakhi festival celebrates the bond between a brother and sister. Every year, sisters tie rakhis to their brothers while praying for their long lives and happiness. In return, the brothers promise to protect them from all troubles (and shower them with gifts!).

While it is the sentiment that counts, the rakhis have become more extravagant and decorative over the years. And by decorative, we mean a lot of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials are used to make the rakhi. While the brother-sister love (and hate) is eternal, can the material symbolising this bond be more sustainable?

The day after Rakshabandhan, when the siblings begin to bicker once again, and all the fraternal adulation disappears with a poof, the rakhis find themselves being dumped in the garbage. Millions of rakhis are discarded every year after the festival, and the tiny beads and trinkets that adorn the threads turn into environmental pollutants.

Surely there must be a way to celebrate this beautiful festival without it taking a toll on the environment, right? In hopes of motivating people to celebrate Rakshabandhan sustainably, we have detailed some examples of eco-friendly rakhis:

Seed rakhis: Many rural women across Odisha have come together and fashioned rakhis made of biodegradable materials like cane and bamboo designed with a seed of an indigenous tree placed on top.

Other seeds of vegetables and fruits can also be used to decorate the rakhis. When discarded into the soil later, the seeds could grow into plants, which could serve as a reminder of the bond you share with your sibling.

Gau rakhis: Rakhis made from cow dung with tulsi or other flowering seeds embedded in it are another fascinating idea. The dried cow dung cakes could be cut into any shape of your choice, and when planted later, they could serve as manure for the germinating seeds.

Dry fruit rakhis: Dry fruits are an important part of any Indian festival, and using them to adorn your rakhis is a great way of decorating them while avoiding wastage.

Chocolate rakhis: Is your brother a fan of chocolates? Grab some sweets lying around and quickly fashion a rakhi by securing them to a thread. While people are trying to turn even the thread into something edible, the chocolate-coated silk threads have been around for quite some time now.

Upcycled rakhis: Keep in touch with your artistic side by opting for a DIY rakhi by using materials already lying at home. Anything from pretty buttons to ribbons can be used to make a beautiful rakhi.

Crochet rakhi: Enjoy knitting and crocheting? Channel your energies to customise a colourful rakhi using yarn lying about. Fabric scraps can be used to create a floral centrepiece.

Clay rakhi: Use natural clay or dough to make unique shapes for your rakhis — and make them as colourful as you like.

The bottom line is that there are many ways to celebrate our festivals responsibly, without harming the environment. Using such rakhis not only shows the love you have for your sibling but also for the mother Earth that nurtures us. All you need is a bit of creativity and craftiness!

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