India is gearing up to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan. This year, it fall on 7th August, 2017. The day marks the bond of love, faith and protection between a brother and his sister. On this occasion, sisters apply a tilak on their brother's forehead, and tie a beautiful thread around their wrist, and finally conclude the ritual by offering him delicious sweets. Raksha Bandhan literally translates into 'the bond of protection'. As the sister ties the thread around her brother's wrist, he pledges to protect her against all adversities in life, and showers her with blessings. school girls tie (Rakhi) - sacred thread - onto the wrists of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel The day marks the bond of love, faith and protection between a brother and his sister An Indian vendor arranges rakhi (sacred thread) for sale at his shop in New Delhi