{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Promoting Communal Harmony in Bhilwara: Chand Mohammad Keeps Alive Three-Generation Tradition of Handcrafting Mica Rakhis for Rural Sisters",
  "summary": "Living in RK Colony of Bhilwara district in Rajasthan, Chand Mohammad and his family have been handcrafting traditional mica and silk rakhis for 50 to 60 years. Carrying forward a three-generation heritage, they deliver these rakhis along with images of Shravan Kumar to sisters across more than a dozen villages.",
  "content": "In RK Colony of Bhilwara city, Rajasthan, the festival of Rakshabandhan is marked by a deep tradition of social harmony that transcends religious boundaries. Chand Mohammad and his family have been handcrafting traditional mica rakhis for 50 to 60 years, preserving a cultural legacy passed down through three generations. Long before the festival arrives, the family begins painstaking preparations, laboring for months to ensure every rakhi is ready in time for sisters across the region. Their dedicated craft continues right up until the day of Rakshabandhan, serving as a beacon of mutual respect and unity.\n\nA Three-Generation Heritage of Crafting Mica Rakhis\nReflecting on his family heritage, Chand Mohammad notes that their engagement with crafting mica rakhis, known locally as bhodal, spans roughly three generations. The intricate technique was handed down to him by his parents, who pursued the same traditional craft throughout their lives. For five to six decades, Chand Mohammad and his wife have diligently preserved this ancestral skill, keeping alive an art form that represents decades of artisanal passion amidst a rapidly changing world.\n\nThe process of creating these traditional rakhis demands significant effort, precision, and physical labor. It begins with sourcing raw mica and vibrant silk threads. Artisans break down the mineral mica into smaller pieces and beat them continuously until they become wafer-thin, achieving a transparent finish that closely resembles glass. Once the mica achieves this glass-like clarity, it is carefully cut into decorative rakhi shapes and bound together using fine silk threads. This meticulous handiwork transforms simple raw materials into enduring symbols of affection.\n\nDoor-to-Door Delivery Across More Than a Dozen Villages\nInstead of setting up commercial stalls in urban markets, Chand Mohammad personally carries his handmade creations directly to rural households. He travels extensively across more than a dozen villages within Bhilwara district, visiting Hindu families and presenting the rakhis directly to sisters at their doorsteps. Along with each traditional mica rakhi, he presents an illustration of Shravan Kumar, an iconic figure symbolizing filial devotion and care.\n\nThis long-standing outreach is guided by a commitment to community relationships rather than commercial gain. When visiting rural homes, Chand Mohammad accepts whatever monetary compensation families voluntarily offer. For financially vulnerable households unable to provide money, he gladly accepts wheat or other food grains in place of cash. This inclusive practice ensures that every household can participate in the tradition without financial strain or discrimination.\n\nWeaving Messages of Mutual Respect Beyond Religious Boundaries\nFor Chand Mohammad, crafting rakhis is a spiritual and emotional commitment. He emphasizes that a rakhi is not merely a piece of thread, but a sacred bond connecting human hearts and shared values. While crafting these pieces, he maintains an intentional focus on love, harmony, and brotherhood, feelings that motivate his yearly journey into surrounding Hindu communities.\n\nBy placing human relationships and goodwill above religious distinctions, Chand Mohammad's family presents an inspiring story of Hindu-Muslim unity in Bhilwara. Their three-generation tradition demonstrates how shared heritage, craftsmanship, and mutual respect can bridge cultural divides and foster lasting community solidarity.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• Across India: This story reinforces national social cohesion, interfaith harmony, and the value of preserving traditional handcrafts.\n• In Bhilwara: Rural sisters across more than a dozen villages receive handcrafted mica rakhis at their doorsteps, strengthening local community bonds.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. How long has Chand Mohammad's family been making rakhis in Bhilwara?\nChand Mohammad and his wife have been crafting mica rakhis for 50 to 60 years, continuing a family tradition that spans three generations.\n\n2. What materials are used to make these traditional mica rakhis?\nThe rakhis are made using raw mica (locally known as bhodal) and silk threads. The mica is hammered until it becomes thin and transparent like glass before being shaped.\n\n3. What picture does Chand Mohammad distribute along with the rakhis in rural areas?\nHe distributes an illustration of Shravan Kumar alongside each handmade rakhi when visiting Hindu families across more than a dozen villages.\n\n4. How does Chand Mohammad handle payments from economically weaker families?\nIf a family cannot afford to pay in cash, Chand Mohammad willingly accepts wheat or other food grains instead of money.\n\nInspiration & Lessons\nKey Lessons from Chand Mohammad's Journey:\n\n• Honoring Ancestral Heritage: Keeping the three-generation art of mica craft alive for 50 to 60 years demonstrates the value of preserving traditional skills across generations.\n• Fostering Communal Harmony: Rising above religious differences to spread love and brotherhood shows how shared traditions can unite communities.\n• Empathy Over Commercialism: Accepting grain instead of cash from financially vulnerable families highlights the importance of compassion in human relationships.\n• Diligence and Perseverance: The labor-intensive process of shaping raw mica into glass-thin rakhis teaches us that meaningful traditions require patience and hard work.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/culture/bhilwara-ki-rk-colony-men-dharmika-sauharda-ki-anokhi-pahala-abhraka-aura-reshama-se-taiyara-rakhiyan-ganva-ganva-pahuncha-rahe-ha-19836",
  "category": "Culture",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-22",
  "tags": [
    "Bhilwara",
    "Rakshabandhan",
    "Mica Rakhi",
    "Chand Mohammad",
    "Communal Harmony",
    "Rajasthan News",
    "Traditional Craft"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}