An open box of TAGMO’s Rakhi Collection filled with handmade mithai.
WHAT IS RAKHI
Rakhi (Raksha Bandhan) is a Hindu ceremony that celebrates the bond between siblings and chosen kin, with a lot of street food, mithai, and music. Rakhi is like an ancient take on the modern BFF bracelets from childhood.
Traditionally, sisters give their brothers ornate bracelets that symbolize protection the brothers vow to give their sisters. But today, Rakhi is evolving to include everyone, especially trans and nonbinary people, and is a great opportunity to unpack outdated ideas of gender and family.
A hand-painted Rakhi bracelet
SWEET TIES OF LOVE
It's fitting that Rakhi falls during Leo season, because this festival represents bold love + fierce protection.
Rakhi bracelets are a signature part of the gift giving. Versatile and beautiful, our Rakhi wooden pendants are fixed onto ribbons to wear as jewelry around your wrist, a bookmark in your summer novel, or hang from your rearview mirror for good luck while driving.
Inspired by East Indian Madhubani folk art, our Rakhis are made by students at Ahan Foundation, a nonprofit that provides occupational therapy for the special needs community of Jaipur. Your purchase supports their important work!
Surbhi (right) and her brother Saurabh (left).
CELEBRATING INTERDEPENDENCE
Surbhi grew up celebrating Rakhi with her younger brother, Saurabh. Despite the seven year age gap between them, Surbhi and Saurabh have always been close siblings who looked out for each other.
When Saurabh was a small child, Surbhi visited him at daycare every day after school to watch him play. As he got older, Saurabh returned the sibling kindness by saving his treats like instant Maggie noodles to share with Surbhi. Knowing how much she loves to sing along to the radio in the morning, Saurabh would take the family's boom box to the balcony with the volume turned all the way up so Surbhi could listen to music while she walked to the bus stop.
That’s the spirit of Rakhi — vowing to show up for the people you love, and to be there for them when they need you. Regardless of gender, we all experience moments of vulnerability and need support from each other. This is a sentiment that goes beyond biological siblings and includes cousins, friends, intergenerational bonds, and romantic partners.
Many of our holidays and festivals have troubled origins. They come from a time when notions of gender, sexuality and one’s role in society were a lot different than the possibilities we have today. We approach old festivals with new ideas and playfulness, expanding them to be open and loving for everyone. Happy Rakhi!
