A janai is comprised of loose, hand-woven cotton threads braided together and held together by a knot. The common English term ‘sacred thread’ is because threads are all it is, and sacred because it is worn after an elaborate investiture ceremony with archaic rituals typical to Hinduism.
In a Hindu society, Brahmins are unique. Apart from the matters of daily life, they also have to deal with affairs that are distinctly Brahmanical. The gradual shift in the cultural and social values and dramatic change in lifestyles, however, have made it difficult for them to hold on to their customs that date back to pre-historic times. One of these customs is wearing janai (the sacred thread), and strictly abiding by its tenets.
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