Key takeaways
- Canada: Monday, August 16, 2027; India: Tuesday, August 17
- Toronto rakhi time: 2:13 PM to 10:21 PM (Aparahna 2:45 PM to 5:33 PM; Pradosh 8:20 PM to 10:21 PM)
- Vancouver: 11:13 AM to 10:23 PM (Aparahna 2:42 PM to 5:35 PM)
- Drik Panchang advises not tying rakhi during Bhadra
- Gift ideas: clothes, sweets, cash, or a small gold coin or jewellery
When is Raksha Bandhan 2027 in Canada?
Raksha Bandhan falls on Purnima, the full moon of the month of Shravana. In 2027 the full moon gives different dates in Canada and India:
| City | Date | Rakhi time | Aparahna (preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Mon, Aug 16, 2027 | 2:13 PM to 10:21 PM | 2:45 PM to 5:33 PM |
| Vancouver | Mon, Aug 16, 2027 | 11:13 AM to 10:23 PM | 2:42 PM to 5:35 PM |
| New Delhi | Tue, Aug 17, 2027 | 5:51 AM to 12:58 PM (IST) | Bhadra over before sunrise |
In Toronto, Purnima runs from 12:58 AM on August 16 to 3:28 AM on August 17. Drik Panchang also gives a Pradosh window (evening) of 8:20 PM to 10:21 PM in Toronto and 8:27 PM to 10:23 PM in Vancouver. If you live elsewhere in Canada, set your city on Drik Panchang.
Why should rakhi not be tied during Bhadra?
Drik Panchang explains that Bhadra is an inauspicious period that falls in the first half of Purnima. Most Hindu texts, including the Vratraj, advise against tying rakhi during Bhadra. In Toronto in 2027, Bhadra ends at 2:13 PM; in Vancouver it ends at 11:13 AM. That is why the rakhi time starts then.
Drik Panchang says the best time is Aparahna, the late afternoon. If that is not possible, the Pradosh period in the evening is also suitable. Because August 16 is a Monday, many families in Canada will tie rakhi after work, in the Pradosh window, or on the weekend before with family.
What does Raksha Bandhan mean?
"Raksha" means protection and "bandhan" means bond. On Raksha Bandhan, a sister ties a rakhi (a decorated thread) on her brother's wrist, applies tilak, does aarti and offers sweets. She prays for his well-being. The brother promises to look out for her and gives her a gift.
Today, many families include cousins and close friends, and sisters also tie rakhis on each other. In Canada, where siblings often live in different cities or countries, sisters mail rakhis weeks ahead. Canada Post and courier times to and from India vary, so post early: mid-July is safer for an August 16 festival. Our page on sending a parcel to India covers options.
What are good rakhi gift ideas for a sister?
Classic gifts are clothes, sweets, chocolate, cash in an envelope, and something personal. Gold is a popular "big" gift because it lasts.
- A small gold coin (1 g to 5 g), often with Lakshmi or a rakhi design.
- Light 22K jewellery: stud earrings, a thin chain, a pendant or a bracelet.
- Silver: a bracelet, anklets or a coin, for a smaller budget. Check the silver price.
- Gold savings for a younger sister: add a few grams every Raksha Bandhan.
- Money sent home: if your sister lives in India, sending money for her to buy locally is often easier. See sending money to India.
For example, at $150 a gram for 24K gold, a 2 g coin holds about $300 of gold, before the store's premium.
How do you buy a gold rakhi gift smart?
22K or 24K?
24K gold is 99.9% pure. It is soft, so it is used mostly for coins and bars. 22K gold is 91.6% pure (often stamped 916). It is a little harder, so most South Asian jewellery is 22K. 18K is 75% gold and 14K is 58.5%. For the same weight, a higher karat has more gold in it, so it costs more. Use our gold price by karat page to compare.
Making charges
Jewellery costs more than the gold inside it. Stores add a making charge (also called a labour or design charge). Some charge a percentage of the gold value. Others charge a set amount per gram. Ask for the gold weight, the karat and the making charge as separate lines on the bill. Then you can compare stores. Our jewellery markup calculator shows how much you pay above the gold value.
Buy-back and exchange
Ask the store, before you pay, what it pays if you sell or exchange the piece later. Many stores deduct the making charge, and some deduct more. Get the policy in writing on the receipt. Coins and bars usually lose less on resale than detailed jewellery.
Check the stamp
In Canada, a quality mark (like 22K or 916) is not required. But if a store puts one on, it must be truthful and come with a Canadian trademark, under the Precious Metals Marking Act (as of October 2026). Keep your receipt with the karat, weight and store name.
Check what a piece is worth with our gold value calculator and the live gold price in Canada. Gold prices can go down as well as up. Past prices don't predict future prices.