Janai Purnima and Rakshya Bandhan being observed today
Janai Purnima also known as the sacred thread festival is being observed across the country on Saturday.
The festival is considered sacred throughout the nation and is observed in different ways by various communities.
The hill communities celebrate it as Raksha Bandhan, Janai Purnima, and Rishitarpani, the Madhesi community celebrates it as Rakhi, and the Newar community celebrates as Gunhu Punhi.
On the occasion, Hindu Brahmins and Chhetris who have undergone Bratabandha (hair shaving ceremony) change the sacred thread (janai) and also tie sacred thread around the wrist of the right hand.
It is also believed that this thread should be removed only on the day of Laxmi Puja that falls during Laxmi Puja in Tihar.
A highlight of Janai Purnima is kwati, a hot soup made from sprouted beans also called Kwati in Nepal Bhasa.Traditionally, nine varieties of beans are soaked for two days until they sprout, then cooked into a nutritious soup believed to prevent illness.
Janai Purnima is also popularly known as Rakshya Bandan.
On this day, sisters offer rakhi (a symbol of protection) to their brothers.
No Nepalis have been found dead in Uttarakhand: Nepali Embassy
The Nepali Embassy in India has said that no Nepali nationals have been found dead in the floods and landslides that occurred in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India, so far.
Issuing a statement on Friday, the Embassy clarified that no Nepalis have been found dead so far despite the fact that they went missing in the floods and landslides.
The Nepali Embassy has been urging the concerned agencies of the Uttarakhand government and the Ministry of External Affairs of India to carry out search and rescue of missing Nepalis in the flood-affected areas, according to the statement.
According to the Embassy, 372 people have been rescued safely so far and two bodies have been recovered from the site.
Five Nepalis have gone missing in the flash floods in Bagoda, Paudi Gadawal, Uttarakhand.
Among the four Nepalis injured in the incident, three have returned home after treatment and one is undergoing treatment at a local hospital, the Embassy stated.
Five persons including three of a family of Bardiya missing in Uttarakhand flood
Five persons including three of a single family of Bardiya have gone missing in the flash flood in Uttarakhand, India a few days ago.
It is learnt that they had gone to work as laborers in Bankuda Village, Pauri district, Uttarakhand, India.
Mek Bahadur Gurung, spokesperson at the Madhuban Municipality, informed that Narendra Khadka (39) of Madhuban Municipality-6, Bardiya, his wife Saraswati Bhandari Khadka, and their two-year-old son Roman Khadka went missing in the flood.
Similarly, Amrita Pariyar, wife of Ramu Pariyar of Madhuban Municipality-5 and Subash Pariyar (20) of Sukumbasi Tole in Sangamvasti, Gulariya Municipality, have also gone missing in the flood.
According to a preliminary investigation, they had reached the Indian state through contractor Chitra Bahadur Paudel of Maduban Municipality-5.
Pilgrim dies after falling off cliff in Bajura
A pilgrim died after falling off a cliff near Bisnepani in Bajura district on Thursday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Biplav Ojha (52) of Gokarneshwor Municipality-5 in Kathmandu, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Ikbal Hawari.
The incident took place when Ojha was returning to Nateshwori after visiting Badimalika.
DSP Hawari shared that the problem has surfaced to pull out the body from a gorge due to incessant rainfall.
Though preparations were made to bring a helicopter of the Nepali Army for the rescue, it has not been possible due to adverse weather, added police.
