A Hindu devotee changing 'janai', the sacred thread, at Pashaputi on Janai Purnimai, Wednesday, Aug 05 09.nepalnews.com/rh

People of Hindu faith are celebrating the Janai Purnima festival across the country on Wednesday.

On the occasion, Tagadhari Hindus renew the janai or the religious thread today after having a haircut and holy dips in ponds and rivers. People also receive the Rakshya Bandhan thread around their wrist from a Brahmin priest.

The thread is purified by mantras from Vedas and is regarded a symbol of protection, according to Hindu belief.

The Newar community observes the festival as Gunhu Punhi while Gurung and Thakali community observe Yatung mela (fair) in the premises of Muktinath temple in Mustang on this day. During the fair, exhibition of local goods and horse races are performed.

On the occasion, people consume Kwati- a soup prepared from nine different beans. In the Terai, sisters tie Rakhis to their brother's wrist wishing them a long and prosperous life.

In Kathmandu valley, devotees worship lord Shiva at Pashupatinath and Kumbheswor in Lalitpur. Religious fairs are held in Gosaikunda in Rasuwa, Triveni in Jumla, among others.

A large number of people could be seen thronging to Pashupatinath temple and other temples of the capital to receive the Rakshya Bandhan. nepalnews.com