What Is Lumba Rakhi, and Why Bhabhis Get One
The hanging rakhi tied on a sister-in-law's bangle started in Marwari and Rajasthani homes. Here is what it means, how it is tied and how to choose one.
The short answer
- A lumba is a rakhi for bhabhi, the brother's wife.
- It hangs from her bangle rather than going round the wrist.
- The custom comes from Marwari and Rajasthani homes and has spread widely.
If you have been to a Marwari home on Raksha Bandhan, you will have seen it: after the sister ties a rakhi on her brother, she turns to her bhabhi and hangs a small, ornate rakhi from her bangle. That is the lumba.
What it means
A rakhi is a sister's prayer for her brother's wellbeing. The lumba extends that prayer to the person who shares his life. Families often explain it simply: a brother's household is a partnership, so the blessing is for both of them. It is also a warm way to welcome a new bhabhi into the sister's side of the family.
The rakhi is for the brother. The lumba says: you are family too.
How a lumba is tied
There is no elaborate ritual of its own. The sister applies a tilak to bhabhi as she does to her brother, then loops the lumba's thread around one of bhabhi's bangles so the decorative part hangs down. A sweet follows, and very often a return gift from bhabhi.
How to choose a lumba
- Match her bangles. Gold-toned kundan lumbas suit glass and gold bangles. Pearl and thread lumbas suit everyday wear.
- Think about weight. A heavy lumba can tug at a thin bangle. If she wears light bangles daily, pick a smaller one.
- Buy as a pair. Many families buy a matching bhaiya-bhabhi set, so the rakhi and the lumba look like they belong together.
Lumba today
What started in Rajasthan is now common across India and among families abroad. Many sisters who grew up without the custom have adopted it simply because it feels kind. If your family does not usually tie a lumba, there is no rule against starting.
Frequently asked questions
It is a rakhi for the sister-in-law (bhabhi). Instead of being tied around the wrist, it hangs from her bangle, which is why it has a dangling part.
The sister ties it on her brother's wife, usually right after tying the rakhi on her brother.
It began in Marwari and Rajasthani families, but today it is common in many parts of India and among families abroad.
Picked for this guide
From our family shops in Jaipur. Prices were checked when we picked them; the shop page always shows today's price.
Bhaiya-bhabhi pair
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Royal Peacock Bhaiya-Bhabhi Rakhi Set
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