Amritsar, Aug 5 - Punjab Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla Wednesday tied colourful rakhis on the wrists of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel posted at the Attari border and celebrated with them the festival of Raksha Bandhan, marking the bond of love between siblings.

Chawla, who represents Amritsar constituency in the state assembly, also stopped at an army station some five kilometres from the Attari check-post and tied rakhis to some army officials there.

The minister has been following for some years the practice of tying rakhis to security forces on the border posts, some 30 km from this Punjab town.

'Soldiers stationed here are making a great sacrifice to protect the whole nation. It is the duty of every woman of our country to pray for their well-being,' Chawla told IANS.

Celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravana, Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi was observed with gaiety across the country.

As a part of the ritual, sisters fast in the morning until they tie the Rakhi on their brothers' wrists.