August
Raksha Bandhan
On the full moon of Shravan, sisters tie the rakhi on their brothers' wrists — and across Kumaon it's also Janopunyu, the day the sacred janeu thread is changed.
All festivalsRaksha Bandhan
Threads of protection, mid-monsoon.
Raksha Bandhan falls deep in the monsoon, a day of family and protection. Sisters tie a thread on their brothers' wrists and are promised care in return. In the hills it doubles as Janopunyu (Janeu Purnima), when the sacred janeu thread is changed, and in some villages the day is tied to local fairs.
Coming mid-rains, it's an indoor, family-centred festival — the sort of warm, close day the monsoon is actually good for.
The rakhi
Sisters tie a protective thread on their brothers' wrists.
Janopunyu
The day the sacred janeu thread is changed across the hills.
