Hanumandhoka Dashainghar anoints Phulpati of Gorkha following centuries-old tradition

KATHMANDU: The Phulpati - an assortment of flowers, leaves and fruits of different plants, considered auspicious – was taken into the Dashainghar of Hanumandhoka from Jivanpur of Dhading district on Tuesday.

The Phulpati is anointed at the Dashainghar on the seventh day of the 10-day Bada Dashain festival. It was brought to Kathmandu as per the Vedic rites.

As per the tradition, the Phulpati is brought from Gorkha district to Jivanpur of Dhading district by six persons of Magar community including a priest of Dashainghar and relayed to Hanumandhoka from Jivanpur by six Brahmins from Kathmandu.

This year, some employees from Hanumandhoka Durbar Conservation Office left for Jivanpur to ferry the Phulpati. After ritualistic sacrifice of animals including goats on Monday, the team brought the Phulpati to Jamal, from where it was taken to Dashainghar at Hanumandhoka.

Though the Dashain festival begins from Ghatasthapana, the festival sees special fervour from the day of Phulpati.

Office Director Saraswoti Singh said the tradition existed since the Malla era and was given continuity with the rise of modern Nepal.