Bill Clinton's Wrist Bracelet

The Story Behind Clinton's 'Fashion Statement'

While Hawking Book on 60 Minutes and Oprah

By Jake Easton
R A D O K N E W S
Posted June 23, 2004

If you were wondering what former president Bill Clinton was wearing on his right wrist when he was hawking his new book on '60 Minutes' and Oprah recently, it's a Hindu nada-chhadi (often called an auspicious thread).

He received it back on April 5th, 2001, when the former president was visiting Akshardham in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in India.

Closeup of Bill Clinton's Bracelet He was introduced to a variety of local dignitaries including Ishwarcharan Swami, Viveksagar Swami and Brahmavihari Swami. As Mr. Clinton stood before the seven-foot murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Pramukh Swami Maharaj tied a nada-chhadi (auspicious thread) on Mr. Clinton's wrist.

Bill Clinton's Wrist Bracelet Ceremony

Pramukh Swami Maharaj ties the sacred thread (nada chhadi) to former
president Bill Clintons right wrist.

This is an ancient ritual that has been shared by Prince Phillip, Lech Walesa and other dignitaries who have gone to this Indian region to pray and find personal spirituality.

Hindus throughout the world celebrate the auspicious festival Janai Purnima, which is also known as "Gunhu Punhi" in the Newar community of India.

Murti of Bhagwan All male members of the Hindu community who have passed through the religious ceremony of Bratabandha are supposed to change the sacred thread – Janai. "Janai is a sacred cotton thread worn, and it is believed that the thread will protect them from evil spirit," said Hari Ram Joshi,a cultural expert. "And it is necessary that the thread must be purified by chanting mantras," he added.

All Hindus tie sacred thread around their wrists so the day is also called Rakshya Bandhan Day and another important occasion is Kwati Purnima.

Rakshya means protection and Bandhan is bond. The males tie the thread around their right wrist and women tie it on their left. "People tie the sacred thread around their wrist from a priest for protection and purity," added Joshi.

Mr. Clinton flatly denies the wrist band has any ties to the Hindu religion, saying "I wear this bracelet on my wrist and have since June the 27th [of 2002] because some kids gave it to me I have sort of semi-adopted from Columbia."

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