Janai Purnima, Kwati Puni, Rakshya bhandan being observed today

Janai Purnima or Rakshya Bandhan or Kwati Puni is being observed today across the nation. In this day Brahmins and Chettris perform their annual change of janai, a yellow cotton string worn across the chest or tied around the wrist of the right hand.

Also in Newar culture, the same day is celebrated as Kwati Puni or Purnima. As in this day, janai-purnima Jhakris coming to attend Mela people in newars prepare a special soup called “kwati”. Kwati is a soup of different nine beans.In Janai Purnima Newars offer different food items to frogs. Believing that worshiping the frog, who is considered an agent of the God of rainfall, by making offerings of different food items help to increase the production of crops.

There is also a special fair at Kumbeshwor as Kumbeshwor Mela in Lalitpur district.

In Terai region, rakshya bhandan is observed where sisters tie a rakhi on their brother’s hand for the success and good health of their brothers. This also an important day for marking an importance of brother-sister relationship.