Friday, 28 August 2026
Janai Purnima 2026
In short
Janai Purnima 2026 is on Friday, 28 August 2026: Shukla Paksha Purnima of Shravan, the tithi current at sunrise in Kathmandu.
- Date
- Friday, 28 August 2026
- Tithi
- Shravan Shukla Paksha Purnima
- Tithi begins
- 27 Aug, 09:24
- Tithi ends
- 28 Aug, 10:03
- Place
- Kathmandu
How it is observed
Janai Purnima is the Shrawan full moon in Nepal, when Brahmin and Chhetri men change their sacred thread (janai) and people of all backgrounds tie a protective thread on their wrists.
Priests tie a sacred thread on people's wrists, which many keep until Laxmi Puja and then tie to a cow's tail by tradition. Families eat kwati, a soup of mixed sprouted beans, pilgrims visit Gosaikunda and Kumbheshwar in Patan, and Newars observe the day as Gunhu Punhi.
Related festivals
Frequently asked questions
When is Janai Purnima in 2026?
Janai Purnima 2026 is on Friday, 28 August 2026.
How is the date of Janai Purnima decided?
By the lunisolar calendar: it falls on Shukla Paksha Purnima of Shravan, the tithi current at sunrise in Kathmandu. The date is computed from the positions of the Sun and Moon, which is why it moves against the Gregorian calendar from year to year.
How is Janai Purnima observed?
Priests tie a sacred thread on people's wrists, which many keep until Laxmi Puja and then tie to a cow's tail by tradition. Families eat kwati, a soup of mixed sprouted beans, pilgrims visit Gosaikunda and Kumbheshwar in Patan, and Newars observe the day as Gunhu Punhi.