Janai purnima being celebrated

Kathmadnu, August 21 – Hindus all over the country have been celebrating Janai Purnima and Rakshya Bandhan with great gusto, devotion and splendor in the Kathmandu Valley on Wednesday. Thousands of devotees have been gathering at various temples in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur since early morning today to mark the festival.

 

On this day, the Tagadharis (Hindus wearing the sacred thread) discard the old sacred thread and put on a new one that is sanctified by the priest. They also have sanctified thread tied up around their wrists in the form of an amulet.

 

Devotees throng the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, the Kumbheshwar Temple and the Saptarishi shrine in Lalitpur, Gosainkunda in Rasuwa, the Gangasagar and Dhanushsagar ponds in Janakpurdham, Dansanghu pilgrimage in Jumla and other major pilgrimage sites across the country on the occasion of the Janai Purnima festival.

 

Meanwhile, among the people of the Tarai community and others, sisters tie Rakhi  around their brothers’ wrists. Brothers in turn, give gifts to their sisters as an assurance of protecting them from all impediments in life.