Kathmandu, Aug. 9 -- Nepal on Saturday is observing Janai Purnima, the festival of threads, with ritualistic bathing and tying the sacred thread "Rakshya Bandhan" on the wrist and "Janai" across the body by Hindu devotees.

Early on Saturday morning, the "Batuks" -- novice priests -- took part in a mass bathing ceremony, chanting hymns and mantras, making offerings to God Sun and goddess. Meanwhile, people gathered on the embankments of the holy Bagmati River to change and tie threads on their wrists, as the nation marks the festival of thread.

The ritualistic bath, called Shrawan Snan or Upakarma, is performed annually on Shrawan Shukla Purnima.

"As per the Vedic tradition, the Shrawan Snan (ritualistic bath) is performed by those who ...