KATHMANDU: The Janai Purnima festival is being celebrated across the country today, with Hindu devotees observing the tradition of wearing a new Yajnopavit (Janai) and tying Raksha Bandhan.
On the day of the full moon, followers of Vedic Sanatan Dharma traditionally visit rivers, lakes, ponds and other water bodies from early morning to take a ritual bath and receive the Raksha Sutra from their Guru Purohit.
There is a religious belief that wearing the Yajnopavit and Raksha Sutra, which have been sanctified through rituals and Vedic chants by the Guru Purohit, protects devotees from negative elements.
As part of the Vedic tradition, Brahmin priests tie the sanctified Raksha Bandhan, or sacred thread, around the right wrist of devotees while reciting Vedic mantras. The thread is believed to have been empowered through chanting, penance and worship for the protection and well-being of humanity.
According to religious scriptures, members of the three traditionally thread-wearing communities—Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya—change their Janai (Yajnopavit) on this day. Preparations begin on the Chaturdashi, the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Shrawan, when devotees traditionally shave their heads, eat only one meal and observe various forms of physical and spiritual purification.
Those observing the ritual fast visit ponds, lakes, rivers and other water bodies early on the full moon day and take a ceremonial bath, according to tradition.
After the bath, a new Janai is sanctified through Vedic rituals, including Rudrabhishek, and devotees offer Tarpan to the sages using barley, sesame and kush grass. Since the sages Arundhati, Kashyap, Atri, Bharadwaj, Vishwamitra, Gautam, Jamadagni, Vasishtha and Agastya are worshipped and offered Tarpan on this occasion, the day is also known as Rishi Tarpani.
According to the Vedic Guru tradition, the Yajnopavit, or Janai, is also known as the Brahma Sutra or the thread of knowledge. Devotees have been thronging the premises of the Pashupatinath Temple, Ashok Vinayak in Basantapur, the banks of the Bagmati River and other religious sites in Kathmandu Valley and across the country since early morning to receive Raksha Bandhan and participate in the festival.
A special dish called Kwanti is also prepared and eaten on Janai Purnima. It is made from a mixture of 11 types of legumes and grains that are soaked and sprouted. Kwanti is traditionally believed to help prevent illness, cleanse the digestive system and provide warmth to the body during the rainy season.
According to Ayurvedic practitioners, consuming Kwanti soup made from a mixture of legumes and grains can provide nutritional benefits and support the body’s immunity. It is also traditionally believed to help relieve ailments such as colds and coughs associated with the rainy season.
In Nepal’s Terai region, sisters celebrate the festival by tying rakhi around their brothers’ wrists. There is a widespread social belief that the tradition strengthens the bond of love between brothers and sisters. In recent years, the practice has also become increasingly popular in the country’s hilly regions.
Religious fairs are also being held today at various lakes, ponds and other pilgrimage sites across the country. These include Manichud in northeastern Kathmandu, Gosainkunda in Rasuwa, Kumbheshwor in Lalitpur, Panchpokhari in Sindhupalchowk, Janakpurdham, Dhanush Sagar and Ganga Sagar in Dhanusha, as well as Dansadhu in Jumla and Trivenidham in Nawalparasi.
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