This festival observed by the Hindus, especially of the Shaiva sect, on the full moon day in the Nepali month of Saun is also popularly known as ´Gunhu Punhi´ in the Newar community.
According to the time-honored tradition, the people receive the ´Rakshya 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. They also observe the occasion as ´Kwanti Purnima´.
Kwanti, a soup prepared from nine different beans, is a special delicacy added to the Nepali menu today.
The ´Kulabarna Tantra´, a Tantrik scripture, says that the soup is highly nutritious and keeps diseases away.
In the Terai region, there is a tradition in which sisters tie an attractive ´Rakhi´ around the wrists of their brothers wishing them long life and prosperity.
Today, thousands of devotees worship lord Shiva at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu and at Kumbheswor in Lalitpur and take holy dips in ponds and lakes. RSS
PHOTOS: DIPESH SHRESTHA/BIJAY GAJMER
