Tears, Tilak & Ties Of Love: Around 15K Sisters Visit Brothers In Gwalior Central Jail On Raksha Bandhan

Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): Sisters tied rakhis to their brothers serving sentences at Gwalior Central Jail, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. 

The scene brought emotional scenes at the jail premises.

Hundreds of women from nearby towns arrived at the open jail in the morning to meet their brothers, apply mangal tilak, and tie the sacred thread.

Although the auspicious time for Raksha Bandhan was after 10:47 am, the sisters performed the ceremony without waiting for the muhurat. By 2:30 pm, over 8k sisters had visited, and the number was expected to reach 15k by evening.

Outside items not allowed

Tears flowed on both sides as sisters applied tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, tied rakhis, and fed them sweets made in the jail. 

The prison administration provided laddoos and rakhi kits. Outside sweets, rakhis, or other items were not allowed inside for security reasons.

Special arrangements, including tents in the open jail grounds, were made to ensure the sisters faced no inconvenience. Mobile phones, intoxicants, and food items were strictly prohibited.

Jail Superintendent Vineet Sarwaiya said that the jail headquarters had granted special permission for sisters to visit and perform the rakhi ritual this year, allowing them to bless their brothers despite their incarceration.