Kathmandu:

The time to forget our worries and just give in to the season of festivals is here.

Fulpati, the seventh day of Dashain, is tomorrow.

This is mainly a royal celebration when the kalasha — a sacred vessel containing sacred flowers, banana leaves and sugarcane, symbolising the goddess Taleju, the family deity of the royal family, is brought to the Capital from Gorkha. Taleju’s most important image is at the Gorkha palace.

The kalasha is officially received by the King amid a ceremony at Tundikhel.

After it is officially received and the military fire a gun salute, the fulpati is carried on a palanquin to the old palace at the Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Even after development of modern transportation services, the fulpati is transported on foot from Gorkha and usually takes three days to reach here.

“Though Fulpati is of great significance to the royal family, the common people also follow this tradition at their home. They gather sacred flowers and leaves and take them to the puja room to offer to the goddess,” says cultural expert Punya Prasad Parajuli.

Fulpati is followed by Maha Astami and Maha Navami.

On Maha Astami, hundreds of animals and fowl are sacrificed at various temples of devis. Those who do not perform animal sacrifice offer kubindo, pumpkin and duck eggs.

On Navami, cars and other vehicles are worshipped, and animal sacrifices are made to keep the drivers and passengers of the vehicles from accidents during the year.

All mechanical equipment and tools of all professions are also worshiped. Students worship books.

On day of Bijaya Dashami or Bada Dashain young ones receive tika and blessings from the elders and celebrations continue for five days until Kartik Purnima, the full moon day.