IGI Logo

Hundreds of devotees gathered on the embankment of the Bagmati River beside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu to change their "Janai" and tie the "Rakshabandhan" on their wrists, marking the festival of Janai Purnima. This festival, held annually on Shrawan Shukla Purnima, coincides this year with the Janaipurnima and Rishi Tarpani festivals. During the celebration, participants change their Janai (sacred thread) and tie Rakshyabandhan (Raksha Bandhan) threads around their wrists. Devotees of Vedic Sanatan Dharma flocked to the river, taking ceremonial dips and securing the Rakshasutra (sacred thread) with their Guru’s guidance. Brahmin priests, following traditional Vedic practices, conducted chants, performed penance, and carried out rituals while tying the Rakshasutra on devotees' right wrists. It is commonly believed that receiving the Janai and Rakshasutra when properly chanted and blessed by the priest, provides spiritual protection against negative influences.