Janai Purnima in Nepal

When did the Janai Purnima in Nepal start?

The first recorded date of Janai Purnima in Nepal being celebrated on August 30 was in the year 1937.

About Janai Purnima in Nepal Holiday

Janai Purnima is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over Nepal. It is a celebration of faith and culture, and a time for people of all faiths and backgrounds to come together and rejoice in the traditional values of Nepal.

Janai Purnima is observed on the full moon day of the Nepali month of Shrawan. It marks the start of the Hindu religious year and is considered the most auspicious day of the year. During Janai Purnima, Hindus take a holy dip in Pashupatinath Temple or any other river or lake, and perform sacred rituals. They wear a holy thread called Janai, given by a Brahmin, as a symbol of self-purification and a reminder of their duty towards their higher self.

Janai Purnima is also a time for celebration and fun. People gather in large numbers at temples and perform traditional dances in the honor of Lord Shiva and Pashupatinath. People also enjoy special

The festival of Janai Purnima is also an opportunity for people to reconnect with nature and show their gratitude to the environment. Many locals take turns cleaning and maintaining public places and roads leading up to the temples and promote awareness and activism towards a clean environment.

Janai Purnima is indeed an event that should not be missed. If you find yourself in Nepal, make sure you take part in this amazing celebration of faith, culture and traditions that binds the Nepalese as one community and leaves you with many beautiful memories.

Janai Purnima in Nepal: A Comprehensive Guide

Janai Purnima, also known as Rakshya Bhandhan, or as Rakhi in India, is a Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal which signifies the love and protection between brothers and sisters. This special occasion involves the tying of a colorful string, known as the Rakhi thread, around the wrist of the brother by the sister as a gesture of love and protection. It is also believed to be an auspicious day for the Hindus, purifying the mind, body, and soul. This article is a comprehensive guide to Janai Purnima in Nepal, including its origins, significance, traditions, geographical spread, modern day observances, interesting facts and trivia, holiday wishes, holiday messages, and holiday quotes.

History and Origin

The legend of Janai Purnima dates back over 5000 years and is based upon ancient Hindu scriptures. It is believed to be derived from the story of King Bali and Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. According to the legend, Goddess Laxmi fell into a deep sleep and was disheartened by the lack of offerings and honor she was receiving from the king. Desperate, she decided to return to her divine abode in the heavens. Laxmi asked King Bali to tie a thread around his wrist, as a sign of his faithfulness and dedication to her, so that she could be sure of his loyalty. The king obliged, and in return, Laxmi blessed King Bali with prosperity and health. Thus, this tradition was born.

Janai Purnima is also believed to be derived from the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, in which King Rama maintained his relationship with his younger brother, Laxman, by tying a thread around his wrist. In Hinduism, this thread symbolizes the bond between brothers and sisters, representing the deep connection that cannot be broken.

Furthermore, in Buddhism Janai Purnima is celebrated in honor of Gautam Buddha’s birthday, who was born on this very day. It is believed that this day was the day Lord Buddha took his birth and attained enlightenment and Nirvana.

Significance and Meaning

Janai Purnima is a celebration of love and protection and one of the most important days for the Hindu and Buddhist populations of Nepal. The tying of the Rakhi thread is also believed to be a way of showering the brother or sister with good luck, and in return, the brother gives his promise to protect the sister, both spiritually and physically. This holds great significance in Hinduism and Buddhism, and in many cultures, is taken as the most important of all duties that each sibling has towards one another.

Janai Purnima is also seen as a representation of the unity, peace, and harmony that should exist between brother and sister. It is also a way of celebrating the strong bond between siblings, regardless of any distance, geographical or physical, that might be created by time. On this day, siblings often spend the day together, exchanging gifts and celebrating the eternal bond between them.

Traditions and Celebrations

The celebration of Janai Purnima is quite elaborate and grand. On this day, as per traditional customs, Hindus take a holy bath in rivers, ponds, and lakes of Nepal, which is believed to bring good fortune and abundance to the family for the rest of the year. Additionally, sacred thread is tied around the wrist of Khadgas, the swords of Hindu kings, as a blessing and protection for the peace and security of the nation.

At home, brothers and sisters embrace each other with love and affection. The sister ties a special Rakhi thread on the right wrist of her brother, which is known as Janai, and often applies vermilion and Akshata (an abbreviation of “Akšata” which literally means ‘unscattered grains of rice’). The brother then promises to protect the sister from any harm or danger, and the siblings exchange gifts with one another.

In the evening, families come together to perform Aarti, (a Hindu prayer ritual) and share a delicious family feast. During the ritual, traditional dances and folk songs are performed to honor the special occasion.

Geographical Spread

Janai Purnima is a widely celebrated festival in Nepal, most commonly in the Terai region. The festival is most prominently celebrated in towns such as Janakpur, Dang, Dharan, Parsa, Sarlahi, and Siraha. However, it is also celebrated by Nepalis all over the world, and countries such as India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other parts of the world where Hindu and Buddhist communities reside.

Although the festival is celebrated in the same way in most places, some regional variations do exist. For example, in Janakpur, Janai Purnima takes an important cultural role, due to its association to the legendary King Rama and Goddess Sita who, according to the Hindu epic Ramayana, were married here. Thus, the celebration in Janakpur is much more elaborate and extravagant.

Modern Day Observations

Over the years, the celebration of Janai Purnima has evolved in contemporary society, taking on new forms and modern variations. Nowadays, some families will exchange electronic Rakhi threads via text messages, emails, or even through social media posts on various platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. Additionally, many shops have begun to advertise and sell modern and fashionable Rakhi threads, which are adorned with gems and sparkles.

Other novel adaptations of the tradition include selling eco-friendly Rakhis made of jute and natural dyes, signifying the harmony between nature and technology. Furthermore, it is common for siblings to celebrate Janai Purnima by taking trips together, making it more of a recreational holiday rather than simply an excuse for siblings to exchange gifts.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

• Janai Purnima is also known as saree pournima, as it is the day when women are gifted with saris as a token of love and protection from their brothers.

• Janai Purnima is also a day when people in Nepal visit Gurus, to seek their blessings and to make their wishes come true.

• The Rakhi or Janai thread in Nepal is commonly handcrafted, braided with colorful threads and adorned with colorful beads and glitters.

• After the holy thread is tied, some Hindu families also perform aa puja ceremony, offering food and sweets to Goddess Laxmi, to thank her for protection and prosperity.

• In Hinduism, the Rakhi symbolizes the holy covenant between Radha and Lord Krishna, and the thread is believed to bind Radha to Krishna.

• Sisters in India and Nepal, also tie a thread for unmarried brothers as a blessing for his marriage.

• Rakhi is also celebrated in some parts of Nepal in honor of Mother Laxmi, the Goddess of Financial Growth. In this custom, people offer flowers, incense, and sweets to Mother Laxmi.

• In Hinduism, Janai Purnima is also known as Parvati Vivah as it is said to be the day when the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati takes place.

Holiday Wishes

• Wishing you a happy Janai Purnima!
• May the bond between us be blessed with eternal love and protection.
• My best wishes to you and your family on Janai Purnima.
• Have a joyous and blessed Janai Purnima.
• May the day bring you bliss and abundance of prosperity.

Holiday Messages

• May the holy thread of Rakhi bring us good luck and long-lasting peace.
• Sending warm wishes to you and your family, may Janai Purnima bring you joy and abundance.
• Janai Purnima is the day to celebrate the bond of love between siblings. Wishing you an unforgettable celebration!
• On this Janai Purnima, may the festivities be full of love and laughter!
• Wishing you all the best on Janai Purnima!

Holiday Quotes

• “Loving is not just looking at each other, but looking in the same direction” – Antoine de Saint.
• “The friendship between brothers and sisters is like the bonding between a person and his or her shadow.” – Anonymous
• “A brother is a friend given by Nature.” – Jean Baptiste Legouve
• “The more one judges, the less one loves.” – Honoré de Balzac
• “A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams.” – Anonymous

Other Popular Holiday Info

One of the most important symbols of Janai Purnima is the Janai thread, also known as the Rakhi thread, which is used to tie around the wrists of brothers or sisters. Janai threads are often made of cotton and are handcrafted to make them unique and special. In some areas of Nepal, the traditional thread is replaced by a golden chain, with coins and gold jewelry tied to signify prosperity and growth for the family.

The Janai thread is also believed to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, protect the brother or sister from any harm or danger, and bring the family peace and harmony. Another important ritual on Janai Purnima is the offering of food items to Sadhus (Hindu holy men) and the sanctification of the family home with holy water.

In conclusion, Janai Purnima is one of the most important festivals of Nepal and is celebrated by millions of Hindus and Buddhists around the world. It is a celebration of the undying bond between brothers and sisters and a way of honoring the love and protection that can only be shared between them. On this day, be sure to tie the Janai thread around the wrist of your brother or sister and enjoy the religious and cultural ceremonies of Janai Purnima to the fullest.