A Hindu devotee changing the Janai (sacred thread) on the occasion of Janai Purnima at Pashupatinath.  It is also known as Rakshya Bandan, Friday, Aug 19 05.

A Hindu devotee changing the Janai (sacred thread) on the occasion of Janai Purnima….
Hindus are celebrating the ‘Janai Purnima’ festival across the Kingdom on Friday.

On the occasion, ‘the Tagadhari Hindus’ change the sacred thread today after having a haircut and holy dips in ponds and rivers. People also receive the ‘Rakshya Bandhan’ thread around their wrist from a Brahmin priest. The ‘Rakshya Bandhan’ thread is purified by mantras from Vedas and is regarded a symbol of protection, according to a Hindu belief.

Newar community observe the festival as ‘Gunhu Punhi’ while Gurung and Thakali community people observe Yatung mela (fair) in the premises of Mukninath temple in Mustang on this day. During the fair, exhibition of local goods and horse races are performed.

On the occasion, people consume ‘Kwati’- a soup prepared from nine different beans. In Terai, sisters tie Rakhis to their brother’s wrist wishing them a long and prosperous life.

In Kathmandu valley, devotees worship lord Shiva at Pashupatinath and Kumbheswor in Lalitpur. Religious fairs are held in Gosaikunda in Rasuwa, Triveni in Jumla, among others.