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Janai Purnima being observed today

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ITAHARI: AUGUST 22 – The festival of ‘Janai Purnima’ or ‘Rishi Tarpani’ is being observed across the country today. Janai Purnima is observed in the month of Shrawan. It is called Rakshya Bandhan as this festival observes the bond of purity and security. This festival is celebrated by Hindus all over the world.

The tagadharis– Brahmins, Chhetris and Vaishyas change their ‘Janai’ (the sacred thread) worn across the chest on this occasion. Hence, the festival is called Janai Purnima. Janai is given only to the males of Brahmins, Chhetris and Vaishyas during Bratabandha, a ritual of Hindu youths that should be performed before their marriage. It is considered a symbol of body, speech and mind.

Rakshya Bandhan is a popular, traditionally Hindu, annual rite, or ceremony, which is central to a festival of the same name celebrated in South Asia, and in other parts of the world significantly influenced by Hindu culture. On this day, sisters of all ages tie a red thread called the rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers, symbolically protecting them, receiving a gift in return, and traditionally investing the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care.

The newar community also celebrate the festival as ‘Kwanti Purnima’ by the. Kwanti, a soup prepared from sprouts of nine different beans, is a special delicacy added to the Nepali menu today.

Rakhi Day

This festival is also marked by the sister’s tying of a rakhi or holy thread on her brother’s wrist. The market is full of different colours rakhis. This festival is equivalent to Bhai Tika in Tihar to some communities across Nepal.

The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and swears to look after her as she presents sweets to her brother. Rakhi provided they commit to a lifelong obligation to protect the woman or girl.

What is Rakshya Bandhan Thread

Rakshya means “to protect” and Bandhan is “tie” or “bond”. Rakshya Bandhan is a bond or tie of protection. This thread is which is tied around the hand is called Doro. Some people even say Janai for Doro (thread).

In Rakshya Bandhan day males, females, children and kids regardless of status and caste get tied a Doro (sacred colourful thread) around their wrist. Generally, males get tied the thread around their right and the women around their left wrist.

They believe Doro brings them good luck, when one believes, that always becomes true. People keep the Doro tied to the wrist till on Laxmi Puja day in Deepawali. This thread is then taken out from the wrist and tied on a cow’s tail on the cow worship day (Laxmi puja) in about October.

Hindu believe that they have to cross the river Baitarni after death to reach heaven. The cow will help him/her to cross the river Baitarni, by allowing the dead to cling to her tail if he/she ties the doro to the tail of a cow on Laxmi Puja day.