Janai Purnima observed in Shrawan Shukla Purnima (Full Moon day), is the Hindu festival, celebrated by renewing the old Janai (Cotton string, wear by Hindu men across the chest), eating the soup of Kwati or sprout lentils, and tightening the strong bond between Brothers and Sisters and Mama and Bhanja.
How Janai Purnima is Celebrated in Nepal
The one who wears Janai across their chest is called “Taghadharis”. These people on the very morning, take the holy bath and replace the old Janai with the new one given by the priest. In the maximum district of Nepal, instead of a priest, they take the Janai from their Mama. So, this festival also makes the bonding of Mama and Bhanja.
On this day, people also tie the sacred Doro(thread) in their wrist which of a different color. According to the Hindu belief, rounding the thread by 7 times and wearing it on the right hand purifies the soul and protects the body from evil. Also, eating the mixture of nine different pulses called Kwati (Sprout) on occasion prevents you from Cold cough, makes your body warm.
In the maximum places especially in the terai region of Nepal, this day is also celebrated as the day of Raksha Bandhan, where sisters pray the healthy and wealthy lifestyle of their brothers by placing the small love of token in their hands.
This sacred thread festival is celebrated all over the country, especially the Brahmins and Chettris treat this festival as one of the important days in the entire year. On the occasion of Janai Purnima, the pilgrims try their best reaching the Paanchpokhari of Sindhupalchok district or Gosainkunda of Rasuwa district. There used to be an annual fair in this place.
Historical Myth Behind the Celebration of Janai Purnima, Raksha Bandhan and tieing sacred thread in the wrist.
It is believed that, when Lord Vishnu defeated Demon King Bali, he access him to stay along with him in his palace. But, Lord Vishnu’s wife Goddess Lakshmi is against his decision. So, once Goddes Lakshmi went to the place of Demon Bali and tie the rakhi in his hand and in return ask him not to accept the offer of Vishnu. So, from this day Goddess Lakshmi and Demo Bali become the brother and sister. and started celebrated Raksha Bandhan on this day.
Another Myth came during the battle of Alexander the Great and King Porus (King of Kaikeya Kingdom). In this battle, the wife of Alexander the Great sends the present as Rakhi to King Porus so that he will not harm her wife and wears it in his hand. While they are in the battle, King Porus stops killing Alexander the Great by looking at the rakhi that his wife sends to him.
Once Lord Vishnu gave a holy bracelet that is made up of cotton and holds the blessing of Lord Vishnu to Lord Indra’s wife Sachi. And She tied this bracelet in the hand of Indra, after which Indra defeated the demon king Bali. This is the historical myth on tieing the sacred thread in your hand on this day.
So, this is all about the Janai Purnima a sacred holy festival celebrated by the Hindus of Nepal. Since Nepal is a multi-ethnic country, not only Hindus other religions such as Buddhists, Christian also celebrate this festival in their own way.
