Janai Purnima festival observed across Nepal

The Janai Purnima festival, also known as Rishi Tarpani, is being observed across Nepal today. The religious occasion involves various traditions, including the changing of the sacred thread, known as Janai or Yajnopavita, by followers of the Vedic Sanatan tradition.

Devotees participate in ritual purification by bathing in rivers, lakes, and sacred water reservoirs. During these rituals, Brahmin priests tie a protective thread called Raksha Bandhan or Doro around the right wrist of devotees to provide protection from negative forces, fear, and disease.

In the Newar community, the day is celebrated as Kwati Purnima, featuring a special soup made from nine different beans. In the Tarai region, sisters tie Rakhis on their brothers' wrists. Major religious activities include worshiping Lord Shiva at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu and Kumbheshwar in Lalitpur, as well as pilgrimages to Gosainkunda and Triveni. The government has declared a public holiday for the occasion.