New Delhi celebrates 'Rakshabandhan' with traditional fervour

Rakshabandhan, symbolising the eternal bond of love between brother and sister, was today celebrated with traditional fervour in the national capital with people visiting their siblings with gifts and sweets.
      
Dressed in their fineries, sisters daubed the foreheads of their brothers with vermilion and tied colourful Rakhis on their wrists and prayed for their happiness.Youngsters also visited temples in various areas of the capital.

"It is a festival which is so close to my heart.I woke up early in the morning and offered puja for my elder brother. Then I tied a Rakhi on his hand in turn he pledged to protect me from all adversities," says Riti, a student of Jawaharlal Nehru University.

People from South India are celebrating the Avaniatam festival today in which brahmins go to temples to perform puja and change their holy threads.

"We went to the nearby temple for the puja to change our poonal (sacred thread). The rituals went on for around two hours. A lot of delicacies are being prepared at home and I am waiting to feast upon them", said G Arvind, an engineering student, who participated in the festival here.

Delhi Metro has decided to run 60 extra trips today to cater to the extra rush of people. The DMRC will also deploy additional personnel to cater to the extra rush of commuters.

The Delhi Government has offered free travel for women in DTC buses as well low-floor buses today to facilitate their journey to the houses of their brothers.

Security has been tightened on streets and crowded places like markets and popular hangouts like India Gate to avoid any untoward incident.