Rakchya Bandhan, Janai Purnima And Kwati Puni are celebrated in Nepal every year especially during the month of Shrawan.
About Rakchya Bandhan, Janai Purnima And Kwati Puni
Hindu holiday Janai Purnima is celebrated on the day of the full moon in the month of Shravan. The Janai thread should give its wearer power over their body, voice, and minds. Nepalese will observe the event on August 12 this year.
This day is also known as Kwati Puni and Rakchya Bandhan. People commemorate it by taking a plunge in ponds and rivers around Nepal. Male Brahmin and Chettri community members trim their hair and clean shave the day before Janai Purnima. On this day, non-vegetarian foods, as well as those cooked with onions and garlic, are avoided.
A priest performs the Janai Purnima. The fresh thread is blessed by chanting verses from the sacred book. The thread is affixed at the conclusion of the ceremony and is worn by each male participant.
Rakshabandhan is celebrated in Nepal on the same day. In Nepal, everyone ties a rakhi on Raksha Bandhan as a good luck charm.
Raksha Bandhan falls on August 12 this year. However, the Hindu calendar allows for it to be observed on both August 11 and August 12. It is observed on the full moon day of Shukla Paksha, also known as Shravan Poornima or Kjari Poonam, in the Shravan month.
Raksha Bandhan 2022 is observed on two separate days in India and Nepal due to the calendar and tithi. As the Purnmia, or full moon, begins today at 12 o’clock, Rakchya Banndhan is observed in India today.
The holy thread-changing ceremony known as Janai Purnima is practiced throughout Nepal. Date of Janai Purnima in 2021 is August 22. Male Chettri and Nepali Brahmin community members alter the holy thread known as Janai that they both wear. After a protracted process that includes mantra chanting, the thread is changed.
How is Kwati Punhi celebrated?
The Newar community celebrates the same day as Kwati Punhi or Gunhi Punhi or Kwati Khane Din. They tie a ‘dora’ on their wrist on this day as they do not wear Janai on their body.
They take a bath early in the morning and visit a nearby temple, where they will find a priest who ties dora. A dora is a thread just like Janai but worn on the wrist.
The next day of Janai Purnima is followed by Gai Jatra. On this day, the dora tied on the wrist is now tied on the tail of a cow. It is believed that the cow will guide the soul to heaven afterlife.
After tying the dora, Newar celebrates Gunhi Punhi or Kwati Punhi by preparing a special dish at their home. The special dish is called ‘Kwati’.
Kwati is said to bring strength and warmth to our bodies. The Kwati is prepared only on this very day, so the name Kwati Punhi occurred.
Kwati is a thick soup made up of a combination of several beans and sprouts. The variety of beans and sprouts ranges from 9 to 12 types.
The beans and sprouts are soaked in water a day earlier so that it becomes soft. Then, the next day, it is put in the pressure cooker with various spices and lots of water. After a few whistles, the Kwati is ready to be served.
Janai Purnima is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in Nepal. It is also known as the sacred thread festival. On this day, Hindus take a sacred bath in the river/home and change their Janai, which is a thread that is worn around the wrist.
