Janai Purnima / Rakshya Bandhan in Nepal: On the day of Shrawan Shukla Purnima, Amatagadhari, who has performed Chuda Karma today, is celebrating Janai Purnima by wearing Yajnopavit, i.e. Rakshasutra, which is recited in Vedic mantra. It is customary to tie a rope around the wrist even if one has not performed Chuda Karma.
The six teachings of Janai have been considered by the followers of Sanatan Dharma as Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwar and Gyan, Karma, Yoga. Janai is considered to be the thread of Brahma Sutra or knowledge. The festival is associated with the legend that Guru Jupiter prepared defense legislation and protected the deities chased by demons by tying a rope.
The story of Baman incarnate Vishnu taking all the three worlds by tying a mantra to King Bali is also connected with this festival. On this day, Saptarishi Kashyap, Atri, Gautam, Bhardwaj Jamadagni, Vashishta, and Vishwamitra are given tarpan with Kush, black sesame, and water, so this festival is also being celebrated as Rishi Tarpani. On the eve of the festival, after shaving their heads and bathing in the soil with dung and basil planted on their heads, the people with strings were in a trance.
As Pashupatinath and Gosainkunda go to bathe one day before the festival, all the four doors of Pashupatinath temple remain closed on Janapurnima. On this day, in Madhes, it is customary for brothers to wish their sisters long life by Rakshya Bandhan.
Meanwhile, according to the custom of returning Pashupatinath's Janai one day before Janapurnima, the original priest of Pashupatinath changed Nath's Janai on Saturday. The temple was kept clean by tying a raw thread of Vedic chanting around the Pashupati temple.
