In the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand
and parts of Uttar Pradesh, the Raksha Bandhan day is called Shravani or
Kajari Purnima. Kajari Purnima falls on the same day as Raksha Bandhan.
Falling at the end of the monsoon season, this festival holds great
importance to the farmers in these parts of India.
The womenfolk of the region go to fields and bring earth in the leaf
cups on the Shravan Shukla Navami and they put some barley in the leaf
cup and keep it in a dark room. Thos place is cleaned elaborately with
mud and cow dung. Then this place is decorated with different types of
motifs. This worship is repeated for seven days till the full moon day.
The final ritual is held on the evening of the full moon day. This is
the day of fasting for the womenfolk. Thereafter the womenfolk move out
in procession with leaf cups on their heads and immerse them in ponds or
other water bodies.
