SATV KATHMANDU, Aug 09: The festival of 'Janai Purnima' or 'Rishi Tarpani' is being celebrated across the country on the full moon day, Saturday. Hindus in the country mainly observe the festival. 

On the occasion of Janai Purnima, the tagadharis, or those who wear the 'Janai' (the sacred thread) around their bodies from the left shoulder to the right, change the sacred thread today after having a bath. 

According to tradition, the Hindu people receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet.

The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease, Prof. Dr. Ram Chandra Gautam, former chairperson of the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti (Calendar Determination Committee), told RSS. 

The occasion is also observed as 'Kwati Purnima' by the Newar community. 

Kwati, a soup prepared from nine different species of beans, is a special delicacy added to the Nepali menu today. 

In the Terai region, there is a tradition in which sisters tie a 'Rakhi' around the wrist of their brothers, wishing them long life and prosperity.

Today, thousands of devotees worship Lord Shiva at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu and Kumbheshwar in Lalitpur and other Shiva temples across the country and take holy dips in ponds, lakes, and rivers. 

Religious fairs are being held at Gosainkunda, an alpine pilgrimage site in Rasuwa district, and at Dansanghu, Triveni, in Jumla district to observe the festival with offerings to Lord Shiva since early this morning. 

Pilgrims come from faraway places to take a holy dip in the Gosainkunda Lake and other lakes nearby. 

Religious fairs are organized at Pashupati and Manichud of Kathmandu; Gosainkunda of Rasuwa; Kumbheshwar of Lalitpur; Panchpokhari of Sindhupalchok; Janakpurdham, Dhanush Sagar, and Ganga Sagar of Dhanusha; Dansanghu of Jumla; and Trivenidham.