Renowned astrologer and tarot card reader Rinhee Suberwal offers essential dos and don’ts for Raksha Bandhan falling on Saturday this year – avoid red rakhis, follow the right muhurat, and perform the tilak ritual carefully.

This year, Raksha Bandhan falls on Saturday, August 9, 2025, and with planetary alignments playing a crucial role in our lives, astrologer Rinhee Suberwal has shared some important guidance to help make this festival of love, protection, and bonding even more meaningful—and safe.

1. Avoid Red Rakhi This Year
One of Rinhee’s top recommendations for this year is to avoid tying red rakhis. “2025 is a Mangal (Mars) year, and red symbolizes Mars. While Mars brings energy and strength, too much of it can cause conflicts, temper issues, and even accidents,” she warns.

Instead, she strongly advises sisters to opt for yellow-colored rakhis. “Yellow represents Jupiter (Guru)—a planet of wisdom, protection, and harmony. It brings balance to the intense Mars energy and fosters deeper emotional connections,” she adds.

2. Muhurat: Tie the Rakhi Between 5:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Rinhee Suberwal emphasizes the importance of following the correct muhurat for tying the rakhi. “This year, the most auspicious time is between 5:00 AM and 1:30 PM. Avoid tying rakhi after this period, especially in the evening, as it may clash with inauspicious planetary hours,” she says.

Since the festival falls on a Saturday, ruled by Shani (Saturn), which can bring karmic delays or heaviness, following the muhurat becomes even more important.

3. Importance of Tilak and Puja Ritual
Rinhee also highlights that tilak plays a vital role in the Raksha Bandhan ritual. “Applying haldi (turmeric) and kumkum mixed with a bit of ganga jal or rose water on the brother’s forehead not only invokes blessings but also calms the influence of Mars,” she says.

She advises:
Use yellow tilak (turmeric) for peace and positivity.
Offer sweets made of besan or jaggery – both are Jupiter-friendly.
Light a ghee diya (lamp) before starting the puja for spiritual energy and protection.
Prefer yellow, cream, white, or pastel shades while performing the Raksha Bandhan rituals. These colors promote peace, joy, and positivity.
According to Vastu and astrology, facing East or North while tying the rakhi ensures better energy flow and spiritual harmony.
Avoid gifting your brother anything wrapped in black or dark grey, as these colors are not auspicious for Raksha Bandhan.
Treat the rakhi with respect. Avoid placing it on unclean surfaces or letting it fall to the floor before tying.

4. Spiritual Significance: Brothers Represent Mangal Graha
“Many are unaware that brothers represent Mangal Graha (Mars) in a sister’s astrological chart,” Rinhee explains. “So Raksha Bandhan is not just a ritual—it’s a moment that affects the energy balance between siblings for the entire year.”

Tying the rakhi with the right intention, during the right time, using the right colors and elements, can help strengthen the sibling bond and ward off negativity for both.