Lord Mayor to Receive Rakhi in Celebration of Raksha Bandhan

Bradford’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Beverley Mullaney, is set to be honoured in a special Raksha Bandhan ceremony organised by a local Hindu group.

The event, set to take place at Bradford City Hall on Friday 16 August, will see members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) UK gather to celebrate the festival, which is deeply rooted in the values of duty, care, and universal brotherhood.

Raksha Bandhan, a significant Hindu festival, is celebrated annually and symbolises the duty to protect and serve those in need. The festival embodies the ancient concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakum, which translates to “the whole world is one family.” This philosophy underlines the ceremony’s message of unity and the importance of fostering strong bonds within the community.

During the ceremony, around 15 members of the HSS UK will meet with the Lord Mayor (Pictured Left) to share insights into the organisation’s work and the meaning behind the Raksha Bandhan tradition. Part of the event will be the tying of a Rakhi – a colourful bracelet made of intertwined threads – onto the wrist of Councillor Mullaney. This act symbolises strength in unity, as the intertwined threads represent how individual efforts, when combined, create an unbreakable bond.

The ceremony will also include the offering of Mithai, traditional Indian sweets, to further mark the occasion. The gesture of tying a Rakhi serves as a powerful reminder of the festival’s message: that by coming together, we can build a stronger, more supportive community.

Image Credit: Councillor Beverley Mullaney receiving the Yorkshire Flag – Bradford Council