Janai Purnima, or Sacred Thread Festival, is a highly revered and culturally significant Hindu festival in Nepal. It is marked on the full moon day of the month of Shrawan (July–August), Janai Purnima, signifies the renewal of vows, the idea of strengthening bonds, and the enthusiastic start of the festival season in the country. Although the core rituals performed on this day include wearing a sacred thread (janai) for men of certain Hindu castes, Janai Purnima’s combination of traditions, local flavor, myths, and social unity are a powerful representation of Nepal’s rich spiritual and cultural history.
Historical and Mythological Background
The word “Janai Purnima,” Janai for sacred cord, and Purnima for full moon, goes back to ancient Vedic period and still remains linked to myths and lies of protection, purity, and renewal. A well-known story about this day is of demon king Bali; goddess Lakshmi ties a sacred thread (janai) so that he would be protected from harm, reconcile, and grant blessings. Another example is mother Yashoda, Krishna’s foster mother, ties a protective thread for Krishna to avert danger and calamity. All of these stories reaffirm the day’s spirit of spiritual protection and loving bonds.
The Sacred Thread (Janai): Importance and Symbolism
The janai is a thousand-year old tradition of leadership which is a piece of cotton thread worn by male Hindus of Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya castes. The janai is worn draping from left shoulder to waist on the right side, it represents purity, dignity, maturity and commitment to a spiritual path. Boys wear the sacred thread for the first time when they celebrate a rite of passage called Bratabandha, when they are viewed as adults and may engage in religious activities. Brahmins men are traditionally expected to wear six threads, other caste groups wear three. Each strand of janai indicates qualities such as, creation, preservation, destruction, knowledge, worship and karma.
Changing the sacred thread on Janai Purnima, is a celebration of spiritual cleansing, renewal of vows and reassessing personal duties to family, society and self. The new thread is believed to provide protection from evil, blessings and the moral strength to fulfill personal duties during the year ahead.
Raksha Bandhan and Doro: Brotherhood and Protection
In conjunction with the janai-changing ritual, Janai Purnima is observed as Raksha Bandhan festival in Nepal and surrounding areas of South Asia. On Janai Purnima, sisters place a string of colorful protective thread, or rakhi/doro, around the wrist of the brother, praying for their safety, good health, and happiness in life. In return, brothers promised to protect themselves, sisters, and give gifts, and promised care and promptures. Janai Purnima transcends caste and gender boundaries because priests also will tie divinely blessed threads around the wrist of women, children, and elders. The festival is inclusive and universal and celebrates the collective role of family.
The raksha bandhan mantra is often chanted during the wrist threading portion of the ceremony, and goes as follows:
“I bind you with that same thread, with which the powerful king Bali, the great demon king, was bound to. O Raksha (protective thread), do not falter, do not falter.”
Rituals and Festivities: A Day of Renewal.
1. Purification and preparation
The janai purnima rituals begin on the day before, with purification activities taking place for those who wear the janai. They first prepare themselves by grooming themselves; including cutting their hair, shaving, and trimming their nails, and then ritualistically bathing so that they may cleanse themselves and become spiritually clean. Dietary restrictions are observed, as they will only eat ‘satvik’ (pure vegetarian) foods; that excludes onion and garlic and meat.
2. Ritual Bathing and Janai Ceremony
On festival day, men rise before dawn and go to holy rivers or ponds like the Bagmati in Kathmandu or the Kumbheswar pond in Patan, where they dunk themselves three times in order to purify their mind and body. After this, priests lead them through pujas (ritual worship) in which mantras are recited, and prayers are made. An old janai is replaced with a new, consecrated janai. This experience symbolizes spiritual rebirth and purification for all the days to come in the new year.
3. Doro Tying
All family members and worshippers (men, women, and children) have doro tied around their wrists by priests, who call upon protectors and auspicious beings for blessings. The doro may stay on until Laxmi Puja during the Tihar festival, when devotees are supposed to take them off and tie them to the tail of their cow. This practice is believed to aid the soul through the transition to the after-life.
4. Journeys to Holy Places
Devotees excitedly travel to the sacred places and temples around Nepal, for example:
- Pashupatinath Temple (Kathmandu): The temple is crowded with devotees, priests are conducting grand rituals, and priests are tying sacred threads around devotees’ wrists.
- Kumbheswar Temple (Patan): A large lingam is shown on the pond and a special ceremony (Byan-ja Nakegu) to offer frogs is performed as a way of expressing gratitude for rain.
- Gosaikunda Lake (Langtang): A Himalayan pilgrimage undertaken by thousands arrives at this holy lake, said to have been created from the trident of Lord Shiva. The pilgrims take a holy dip in the lake to purify themselves and gain spiritual merit.
Kwati: The Nourishing Festival Dish
Kwati, a healthy soup made from nine kinds of sprouted beans is prepared and shared which is a staple of Janai Purnima and an even greater emphasis for the Newar community who refer to the day as Gunhi Punhi. Kwati is both a tasty dish and an abundant dish, which is served hot to renew one’s energy after the arduous rice planting and to protect the body for the impending season. The many ingredients and harmonious mix show cultural unity and the festive spirit of togetherness.
Regional Variations and Unique Customs
Nepal’s diversity is mirrored in the regional customs connected to Janai Purnima:
- Nepal’s Terai Region: The festival is viewed and practiced as Raksha Bandhan, and with more emphasis on sibling relations.
- Newar Community: Also called Gunhi Punhi, this festival celebrates the start of the harvest season, and some of the traditions are to cover the door thresholds with mud, pile dirt as food for frogs, and eat loads of kwati.
- Highland Rituals: In the highland districts, shamans (Dhami Jhankri) will perform ancient rituals to invoke the ancestral spirits for health and protection of individuals and families, especially near Kumbheswar and Gosaikunda.
Social and Spiritual Dimensions
Janai Purnima is more than just a ritual, as it has far deeper meaning within Nepal:
- Cultural Cohesion: The festival is celebrated by various castes and ethnic groups, each of whom can contribute their own distinct customs, food, or prayers, which in turn develops empathy and respect for others.
- Familial Cohesion: Families gather before and after this day or anniversary, spread blessings and share sweets, and solidify values of love, duty, and goodness.
- Spiritual Clarity: The rituals act as a yearly “spiritual maintenance,” which encourage devotees to rid themselves of impurity, re-confirm and entrust to morally correct behavior, and establish intentions of virtue for the coming year.
Festival Season and Legacy
Janai Purnima is a bridge to Nepal’s months of festivals, and the month often blessed you with another reason to celebrate, providing celebration, happiness, and social experience. The festival is often followed quickly with the busy and colorful Gai Jatra (Cow Festival) that brings life to cities and villages of the country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, during Janai Purnima ritual, it entails more than just a day of rituals; it is a moment where Nepalese people of all backgrounds come together to re-establish their roots spiritually, culturally and socially. It captures the uniqueness of national values that Nepal brings; purity, protection, harmonious family, gratefulness to nature, and unity in diversity. If you have a desire to experience the active heart of Nepali culture, Janai Purnima would be the ideal occasion to breathe into the tradition, celebrations and renewal of this moment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who celebrates Janai Purnima in Nepal?
Janai Purnima is a festival that is primarily celebrated by Hindu communities in Nepal, especially Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya castes who wear the sacred thread (janai). However, Janai Purnima is broadly recognized and practiced by many people from many castes and ethnicities, including the Newar people and those in the Terai who recognize Janai Purnima observances as Raksha Bandhan.
2. What are the key differences between Janai Purnima and Raksha Bandhan?
Even though both festivals take place on the same day, Janai Purnima is a festival where men change the sacred thread (janai) for a spiritual renewal, while Raksha Bandhan focuses mainly on the bond of siblings, where sisters will tie a protective thread (rakhi/doro) around their brothers’ wrist, which would make the bond of brother and sister. Janai Purnima in Nepal combines both events into a rich and culture-filled celebration.
3. How long is doro (protective thread) to be worn?
Traditionally, the doro is kept on the wrist until Laxmi Puja during Tihar (around October – November) and on that day, the doro is removed and tied to the tail of a cow as part of a ritual that helps the soul do things needed for their after-life journey.