Sacred Thread Festival

Janai Purnima is a festival of sacred thread, which is celebrated all over the country on the full moon day of Shrawan month (Nepali calendar Bikram Sambat) which falls in the month of August. It is one of the most important Hindu festivals. On this day, observers first take a ritual bath in the river to purify themselves, and then visit different temples. On this auspicious day, Hindu men renew their janai, which is a sacred white thread they wear. The priest chants mantras and performs the ritual of changing the old janai to a new thread. On this day, the family priest also ties a sacred yellow thread around the wrists of the entire family and gives blessings. There is a belief that wearing sacred thread brings good luck, protection from disease, safety, and bliss in life. Nepalese who reside in the Southern Terai area celebrate Raksha Bandan on this auspicious day. It is a festival to celebrate brother-sister day where sisters tie rakhi around the wrists of their brothers and wish them a long life and protection from disease.