Janai Purnima

Janai Purnima

Janai Purnima, which falls in the month of Shrawan, is one of the most sacred thread festivals of the Hindus. On this auspicious day, Nepalese men especially the Brahmins and the Chettries, bathe in sacred rivers such as the Vishnumati and the Bagmati and perform annual change of their “janai”.

Janai is a cotton string worn across the chest by Hindu men. It is only given to males during the religious ceremony of Bratabandhan, which is a formal process of accepting individual in their religion. It is believed that sacred Janai protects them from the dangers of the coming year. Meanwhile, the rest of the Nepalese people who celebrate this festival, put a sacred thread around their wrists. The thread signifies good wishes of the friends and family for security and bliss. The thread tied on this day is believed to bring favorable circumstances and protect the individual further in his/her life.

The Newars celebrate it as “Kwati Punhi” whereas the people of the Terai also celebrate it as “Rakhsya Bandhan”. On the day of Janai Purnima, healthy nutrious food is prepared and eaten by people with their families. There is a special dish arranged on this day which is known as ‘Kwati. Nine varieties of beans are used to make kwati. The beans are soaked in water for three to four days until they have sprouted. They are boiled with various spices to make a thick soup.

Moreover, Janai Purnima is the day when people pause their work, forget their misfortunes if any and invest some energy with the friends and family in order to be cheerful. In Janai Purnima, Newar farmers offer different food items to frogs. They consider frogs as an agent of the God of rainfall and making offerings of different food items help to increase the production of crops.