Sacred Thread for protection and purification

Girls crowd at a stall selling Rakhis, traditional Indian sacred threads, at a market in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad August 1, 2012. Rakhi is also the name of a Hindu festival, also known as Raksha Bandhan, during which a sister ties one or more of the sacred threads onto her brother's wrist to ask for his protection. The festival will be celebrated across the country on July 31, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

A woman selects sacred threads known as "Rakhis" at a market in Karachi August 1, 2012. Rakhi, a Hindu festival also known as Raksha Bandhan, is an event when sisters tie a sacred thread "Rakhi" around their brothers' wrists for his well-being, in return for the brother's vow to protect them. [Photo/Agencies]