Rakshya Bandhan
One of the main features of this festival is the binding of Rakshya Band han (a sort of safety-band) round one's wrist and the changing of the Janai (sacred threads) which the Brahmins and the Chhetris wear round their neck. The Janai which is a three-stringed thread necklace, is said to sYmbolize the three basic qualities of Nature known as rajasic. tamasic and sattwic.
It is also said to represent the Hindu trinity of Brahma. Vishnu and Shiva. The wearing of the Janai by Brahmins. is said to symbolically remind one of their thorough knowledge of the Vedas and their non-dualistic approach to the realisation of God.
Sacred Thread
The changing of the Janai on the Janai Purnima in a way that can be compared to the refresher course time and often the educational institutions offer for the revitalization of one's knowledge in a particular area of study. To put it in another way, the custom of changing the Janai on this day is like recharging the battery of the human brain. This interesting custom reminds us of how our ancients M the remote past had great intention to hold their knowledge of holy scriptures in high esteem. As orthodox Hindu priests would say the custom of changing sacred thread every year symbolises the purification of one's body and mind. However, it is quite true that this is also a great day for all the religious minded people to take holy bath. On this day hundreds of people go to the places of pilgrimage and take the purification bath in the holy rivers and sacred lakes and purify themselves. One of the most popular places of pilgrimage is Gosaikund, which is situated at an altitude of 14,324 feet in the north of Kathmandu. Those who cannot make it that far go to the Kumbheswar temple in Patan. In this temple courtyard is a very beautiful spring locally known as Kumbheswar Kunda which is believed to be the replica of Gosain Kunda. The water here is always cool and crystal clear.
Puranic Episode
Another aspect of this festival is the wearing ni Rakshya Bandhan, golden coloured thread round on-e,s wrist. This ritual band is believed to protect those who we, it from all kinds of ills and evils. One is supposed to wear. until the Laxmi Puja which falls in Kartik (Oct.). It is aiwt the Brahmins who tie up this holy protective band round one's wrist with the chantings, of mantra. There is a very famous puranic episode about the significance of Rakshya Bandhan (safety band). Thus runs the story
Once there broke out a big battle between Indra, tht God King of Heaven and Bali, the Demon King of underworld. Indra found himself too feeble to fight with Ball yet he tried his best but all in vain. Bali won the war lndra was terribly upset. He did not know what to do. So he rushed to his guru Brihaspati for help. The guru tied up IN Rakshya Bandhan round the wrist of Indra with the chanting of sacred mantras and blessed him for his victory. To say the least, next time when he fought with Bali. he won.
However, the Buddhists celebrate this festival in a bit different way. They regard this day as the day Lord Buddha had victory over the Maras. The Mara symbolically means all those difficulties and drawbacks Shakya Muni Guatarna had to face on his way to Nirvana which he finally overcame and became the Buddha, the Enlightned One. Lalitvistar, a very old Buddhist text speaks very highly about the significance of this day.
One of the interesting names of this festival is Kwati Punhi. Kwati in Newari means a kind of specially prepared soup. Several kinds of cereals, beans and peas rich in protein go into the preparation of this ceremonial soup which is a big must in the long list of the delicacies the Newars prepare for the occasion. The Kwati soup which they always serve hot really taste very good. Drinking plenty of Kwati soup on this day is believed immediately to relieve one's stomach trouble if he has any.
Religious Art Treasures:
Another interesting aspect of this festival is the exhibition of religious art treasures which one can go and see almost at every Buddhist monastery in the Kathmandu Valley. The life size statues of the Buddhas and Bodhisattwas and the traditional tankas and tapestries depicting the life history of Lord Buddha are the main attractions of the exhibition. If one is to follow the age old tradition still preserved in Nepal on this auspicious day one should go and visit nine different Buddhist monasteries changing nine different dresses on this particular day. He is also advised to have the nine different dishes on the same day to celebrate the occasion.
Another interesting feature of this festival is the musical performance of the Naubaja, meaning nine different kinds of the traditional Nepalese musical instruments, which takes place in the evening at the temple of Kumbheswara in Patan. The blowing of the buffalo horns on this occasion is very arresting and attractive. The nerve racking sound of the buffalo horns is believed to scare away the evil spirits and please the Gods. Another exciting addition to the celebration of this occasion is the dramatic performance of the Jhakre Damphu.
Whooping and Prancing
Jhakre Damphu is a kind of typical Nepalese drum which the Nepalese witch-doctors use as a healing instruments as well as a means to drive away the evil spirits. On this day lots of witch doctors go to the Kumbheswar temple in Patan to pay tribute to Lord Shiva, the patron God of their profession. It is just fascinating to see the way they go whooping and prancing with dramatic beatings of the drum all the way to the temple. One of the interesting names of this festival is Rishi Purnima. It is said that in good old days on this auspicious day, the saints and seers used to come down to the river sides and preach the sermon on the significance of the studies of Shastras (holy Hindu scriptures) and their values for the benefit of the people. In any case this festival even today seems to inspire us to think of our rich religious culture and live a meritorious life in peace.
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