From the Mahabharata comes the tale of the establishment of a special respectful bond between Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, and Krishna.

While the Pandava brothers were performing the Rajasuya Yagna, Krishna injured his finger. Draupadi quickly snipped off a portion from the pallu of her silk sari and wrapped it around his finger to stem the flow of blood.

Krishna was quite moved by her concern. He announced that from that day forth the tying of the thread/cloth was a symbol of a special deep sister-brother bond between them and that he would be there for her always.

And he was there for her when she was being insulted by the eldest of the Kaurava brothers, the wicked Duryodhana, years later, when the king took her captive. Duryodhana demanded she shed her sari. Draupadi prayed for Krishna's intervention and he magically provided her with a never-ending sari that saved her modesty.

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated to commemorate this magically special bond.

Rakhi specials

• Readers send Rakhi pics from around the world
• Every man has a sister
• Soha and Saba on their brother Saif
• What does Raksha Bandhan mean to you
• Send us your Rakhi pics and videos!

Earlier Rakhi specials

• Brothers and sisters we worship
• Where rakhis are made
• Have you seen these rakhis?
• When Shabbir hurt his sister
• How Aamir, Hrithik celebrate Rakhi
• What is your favourite Rakhi song?
• Your favourite Rakhi memory?

Photograph: Getty Images