'The auspicious time for rakhi begins after 5 p.m. and if possible brothers and sisters should perform the ceremony in the evening. But there is no harm in tying rakhi before this,' said Ravinder Nagar, head priest of the Laxmi Narayan Temple here.

The capital saw a huge rush of people travelling to meet their brothers and sisters. Many women and men in their best clothes were seen doing last minute shopping, buying rakhis and sweets for the celebration.

'I could not shop for rakhi as I was out of town for some office work and returned Tuesday. So I am shopping now and going to my brother's house to tie the rakhi,' said Neeti Gambhir, a software engineer.

To send gifts online, several portals are offering mega deals. For instance, rakhis can be delivered at short notice. The mailer includes a designer rakhi and a packet containing saffron leaves, rice grains, a cardamom and crystal sugar.

The Delhi government has announced free ride in DTC buses for women on the occasion so that they can visit their brothers' homes.

'It is a great scheme. I took a DTC bus to visit my brother and I didn't have to ask my husband for the bus fare,' said Niharika, a homemaker.