Janai Purnima

Today is a national holiday in Nepal as Janai Purnima, the sacred thread festival of Hindus, is observed today throughout the country. Thousands of devotees across the country go to temples and sacred places to observe the festival...and Banepa is no exception. The 'Tagadhari' or those who wear the 'Janai' (sacred thread) on their bodies change their thread whilst others 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 Brahmins as a symbol of protection from fear and disease.

The rain has been incessant and most of what I photographed tended to lend itself to black and white...but using a 'bleach bypass' process I managed to get what I hope is an interesting colour detail of someone receiving the rakshya bandhan.

And here's a few more photographs from the morning