Raksha Bandhan

Janai Purnima

Janai Purnima is one of the festival of hindus, it is taken as a day when the men from the Brahmin community undertake the annual changing of their holy thread that marks their coming of age ceremony. Early morning, they take a bath, visit nearby temple and from the hands of a Pundit, they change the holy thread or Janai. Besides, it is also the day when pundits tie ‘Raksha Bandhan Doro’ in the hands of the Brahmin and Chhetri community. The doro or the thread is symbolic of the well wishes of the loved ones for safety and happiness.

The thread that is tied on this day is supposed to be worn all throughout the day and until a few months later which is then tied to the tail of the cow in Tihar or Diwali. This is supposed to bring good fortunes and safeguard the person further in his/her life. Janai Purnima is also the day when good food is prepared and eaten by the members of the family together. There is a special dish prepared on this day which is known as ‘Quati’. It is the mixture of nine different kinds of lentils that are collected and soaked a night before the Janai Purnima day.

These soaked lentils are then prepared on the day of Janai Purnima to make it taste delicious. This delicious treat is not only good for the tongue but also for the health as well. It has been said that eating Quati on this day prepares the body for the cold against the rainfall that has been happening in the monsoon prior to it. Also, the farmers who have been planting rice all monsoon will be tired and in bad health by the end of it.

So, this Quati is supposed to give them extra energy and bring them back to good physical health. Also, psychologically also, it is the day when they forget about the work and all the woes and spend some time with the loved ones so as to be happy.