TAXILA, Aug 11: The followers of Hinduism and Sikhism celebrated ‘Rakhi’ festival with great fervour and traditional ritual zeal at the Gurdawara Punja Sahib on Thursday.

Attired in colorful and glittering garbs, girls and boys from the communities turned up at the temple holding wristbands (Rakhis) to tie them in the wrists of their brothers.

Gold and silver bracelets added an extra glitter to the traditional Indian festival that is aimed at bonding a brother to his sister.

The Hindu girls were exuberant on the occasion because the festival was, in fact, celebrated as a token of love wishing happiness and prosperity for their brothers with the latter pledging to protect their sisters’ honour.

While tying the Rakhi on the right wrist, the following mantra is recited: “I am tying a Rakhi on you, like the one on mighty demon king Bali.