Nationwide Celebrations Mark ‘Janai Purnima’ Festival

‘Janai Purnima,’ also known as ‘Rishi Tarpani,’ is being celebrated across Nepal today, marking one of the most significant festivals for the Hindu community. The festival sees the renewal of sacred traditions, prayers, and cultural practices that bind the diverse population of the country.

On this auspicious day, those who wear the ‘Janai’—a sacred thread worn across the body from the left shoulder to the right—participate in the ritual of changing the thread after a ceremonial haircut and bath. This ritual, deeply rooted in Hindu tradition, symbolizes purity and renewal.

In addition to the Janai ceremony, the festival also features the practice of ‘Raksha Bandhan,’ where a sacred yellow thread is tied around the wrist as a protective amulet. This thread, believed to shield the wearer from fear and disease, is consecrated by Brahmin priests through the chanting of mantras.

The Newar community observes the day as ‘Kwati Purnima,’ during which they prepare and enjoy ‘Kwati,’ a nutritious soup made from nine different types of beans. This special dish is an integral part of the festivities, symbolizing health and prosperity.

In the Terai region, the festival is marked by the tradition of sisters tying ‘Rakhi’—a colorful and decorative thread—around their brothers’ wrists. This gesture is a prayer for their brothers’ long life and success, fostering strong family bonds.

The festival is also a time of religious devotion, with thousands of devotees flocking to worship Lord Shiva at prominent temples such as Pashupatinath in Kathmandu and Kumbheshwar in Lalitpur. Pilgrims also take holy dips in sacred ponds, lakes, and rivers across the country, believing the waters to be imbued with spiritual significance.

Major religious fairs are being held at various sacred sites, including Gosainkunda in Rasuwa, Triveni in Jumla, and several locations in Kathmandu Valley and other districts. These fairs attract pilgrims from all over Nepal and beyond, many of whom undertake arduous journeys to take a holy dip in the alpine lakes and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

The government has declared today a public holiday in honor of Janai Purnima, allowing citizens across the country to fully participate in the celebrations and rituals that define this important cultural event.