Abandoned women in Marathwada celebrate Raksha Bandhan together
In the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, women who have been widowed, divorced, separated, or cast aside by their families have started a tradition of tying rakhis to one another. What started as a small gathering has now grown to include 300 members spanning 40 different villages, with the custom being observed since 2023. These women gather on a monthly basis to provide mutual support and assistance.