Kathmandu, August 19
‘Janai Purnima,’ also called ‘Rishi Tarpani,’ is being celebrated across the country today. The festival is primarily observed by the majority of Hindus in the country. On this occasion, tagadharis (those who wear the sacred thread known as the ‘Janai’) change their sacred thread today after having a haircut and a bath. The Janai is worn from the left shoulder to the right side of the body.
According to tradition, Hindus also receive the ‘Raksha Bandhan’ thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. This yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests and symbolises protection from fear and disease, theologians explain.
The Newa community celebrates this occasion as ‘Kwati Purnima.’ A special delicacy called kwati, a soup prepared from nine different beans, is added to the Nepali menu today. In the Terai region, there is a tradition where sisters tie an attractive ‘Rakhi’ around the wrists of their brothers, wishing them long life and prosperity.
Thousands of devotees worship Lord Shiva today at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, Kumbheshwar in Lalitpur, and other Shiva temples across the country. They also take holy dips in ponds, lakes, and rivers. Religious fairs are held at Gosainkunda, an alpine area in Rasuwa District, and at Triveni in Jumla District to mark the festival with offerings to Lord Shiva.
A large religious fair takes place at Gosainkunda Lake, where pilgrims from distant places come to take a holy dip in this lake and other nearby lakes. Religious fairs are also organized at Pashupati and Manichud in Kathmandu; Gosainkunda in Rasuwa; Kumbheshwar in Lalitpur; Panchpokhari in Sindhupalchok; Janakpurdham, Dhanush Sagar, and Ganga Sagar in Dhanusha; Dansanghu in Jumla; and Trivenidham in Nawalparasi.
The government has declared a public holiday today.
