Caution is urged for festival

FAMILIES in Leicester will be able to mark the Hindu and Jain festival of Raksha Bandhan without Covid-19 restrictions this weekend.

The annual religious festival, which is also marked by some Sikhs, commemorates the bond between brothers and sisters and this year falls on Sunday.

Raksha Bandhan falls within a holy month called Shravan, during which Hindus devote their worship to the god, Shiva. Some people also observe a fast, while others may refrain from drinking alcohol or eating meat during the month.

Celebrating the relationship between brothers and sisters, Raksha Bandhan is traditionally celebrated by visiting family. Although traditionally celebrated by brothers and sisters, some siblings also mark the occasion together regardless of gender. In Hindu culture, cousins are also considered brothers and sisters, so Raksha Bandhan often involves visiting between numerous households and close contact.

Last year, families had to celebrate within their own households. Many families chose to send Rakhis in the post instead. Now lockdown has lifted, Raksha Bandhan can be celebrated without restrictions.

However, it is expected some people will be taking part in a more pared-back celebration.

A Public Health spokesman from Leicester City Council said: “We would urge people to remain cautious. People should mix outdoors where possible, avoid close contact with clinically extremely vulnerable people, get tested if they have any symptoms, and of course get vaccinated if they haven’t already done so.”