Fulpati being observed today with fervor and gaiety

KATHMANDU: Fulpati is being observed today by the Hindu Nepalis. Fulpati is the seventh day of the 15-day-long Dashain festival.

As a part of its religious and cultural celebration, Fulpati — an assortment of flowers, leaves, and fruits of different plants considered auspicious — is anointed at the Dashainghar in Hanuman Dhoka in Basantapur of Kathmandu on the seventh day of the festivity.

The tradition is that the Fulpati is carried by six men belonging to Magar indigenous nationality from Gorkha Durbar in the Gorkha district up to Jivanpur in Dhading. Six other men from the Brahman community from Kathmandu who travel to Jivanpur then carry it to Kathmandu.

This tradition began during the rule of King Prithvi Narayan Shah after he took over Kathmandu during his unification campaign.

Fulpati, thereafter, has been brought to Jamal of Kathmandu from Gorkha on a decorated palanquin.

The Gurujyuko Platoon, the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and high-ranking officials of Armed Police Force and civil service, the Asha Gurja team, band music, Panchebaja bands and decorated Kalsyoulis, and a procession along with cultural pageantry leave Hanuman Dhoka for Jamal for receiving the Fulpati.

Traditionally, on this day, banana stalks, jamara, belpatra (leaves of wood apple) and sugarcane sticks tied with red cloth along with Kalash filled with holy water are brought to Hanumandhoka from Gorkha district on a decorated palanquin.

On this occasion, the Nepal Army organizes a parade at Tundikhel that includes gun firing, which is observed by the President and government officials every year.

Nepal Army will be presenting a parade at Tundikhel in Kathmandu today.