There is a very nice festival on August 9th in the Hindu calendar called Raksha Bandhan. On this day sisters and close friends offer their brothers a rakhi to be worn on their right wrist to ward off evil. As can be seen from above, rakhis can be found in many different colors sporting a variety of charms, but simple threads wound together and tied around the wrist are also offered. Once put on they are seldomly taken off intentionally. I have seen these rakhis lose color and become threadbare after months of wear. I would venture to guess that some rakhi make it to the following year and the next celebration of Raksha Bandhan.