Janai Purnima, Rakshyabandhan observed
August 30th, 2015 No Comments
Nepal observed one of the important festivals of Janai Purnima, of Tagadharis sect on 29th August, 2015. The Tagadharis or those who wear the ´Janai´around their bodies from the left shoulder. They change the sacred thread on the day after having a haircut and a bath. The vibrant occasion of ´Janai Purnima´is also known as ´Rishi Tarpani´. Janai is a sacred thread in Hindu Culture.
This festival observed by the Hindus, especially of the Shaiva sect. It falls on the full moon day in the Nepali month of Shrawan. The festival is popular as ´Gunhu Punhi´ among the Newar community. People also know the festival as Kwanti Purnima.
Janai Purnima: Important Hindu Ritual
According to the time-honored tradition, the people receive the ´Rakshya Bandhan´ thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. They also observe the occasion as ´Kwanti Purnima´.
Kwanti, a soup that includes different burgeon beans, is with a special delicacy that adds to the Nepali menu today. The ´Kulabarna Tantra´, a Tantrik scripture, says that the soup is highly nutritious and keeps diseases away. In the Terai region, there is a tradition in which sisters tie an attractive ´Rakhi´. Sister tie the Rakhi around the wrists of their brothers wishing them long life and prosperity.
Today, thousands of devotees worship Lord Shiva at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu and at Kumbheswor in Lalitpur and take holy dips in ponds and lakes located in high hills of the country. Several ponds like Gosainkunda, Dudhkunda, Bhairabkunda receives thousands of pilgrimage on the occasion.
The travelers visiting Nepal during the month of August may witness some festivals of Nepal. The season is the beginning of festivals in Nepal. You can go for cultural tours and visit the monuments sites of the Valley. The festival conducts and moves to the center of Kathmandu Durbar Square. Similarly, the Durbar Square of Patan and Bhaktapur also spots the similar festival events. Our cultural tours allow the participants to experience the unique cultural aspects of Nepal during the events.