Today is Fulpati

Hindu devotees across the country are observing the day of Fulpati today amidst religious ceremonies and festivities.

On the day of Fulpati, the seventh day of Navaratri, an assortment of sacred shrubs that are offered to Goddess Durga is taken inside Dashain Ghar in Hanumandhoka.

The Fulpati, the procession bearing the jamara and other items necessary for the tika, is carried by six Magar people on foot from Gorkha, about a 169 kilometres away from Kathmandu, all the way up to Dhading district from where six Brahmins carry them to Jamal, Kathmandu. From Jamal, the Phulpati filled with holy water, banana stalks, jamara and sugar cane tied with red cloth is carried by Brahmans to the Dashain Ghar today. A military parade is also organised at Hanuman Dhoka palace.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala (right) receiving the guard of honour at the traditional Fulpati function organised by the Nepal Army at Tundikhel in Kathmandu Thursday, Oct 18 07. It was for the first time in Nepal's history that a Prime Minister observed the traditional Fulpati function of the army. nepalnews.com/rh

On this day, the Nepal Army organises a parade at Tundikhel. Guns are fired and the entire valley echoes with the resonance sound of it. Traditionally the firing continues for ten to fifteen minutes to honour the Fulpati.

By the time the function ends the Fulpati is already taken inside the Dashain ghar in Hanuman Dhoka Palace. With this the Dashain feasting starts. A band associated with the army also plays its music and goes through the old core of Kathmandu on this day.

Fulpati also marks the beginning of official weeklong Dashain holidays in government offices. nepalnews.com ag Oct 18 07