KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 29
Fulpati, the seventh day of the Bada Dashain festival, is being observed with centuries-old rituals and cultural pageantry across the country.
A palanquin carrying an assortment of auspicious flowers, leaves and fruits left Gorkha Durbar at 7:30 a.m., after traditional rites led by the Durbar's caretakers, and is being brought to Kathmandu's Hanuman Dhoka Durbar following Vedic customs. The procession pauses at Fulpati Chautara, Satipipal, before the sacred bundle is placed on an official vehicle for the final leg.
In Kathmandu, the Fulpati will be anointed at the Dashain Ghar of Hanuman Dhoka at the auspicious hour of 4:30 p.m. The ritual features Nepal Army units, police contingents, the Gurujyuko Platoon, traditional panche baja music and decorated kalsyoulis.
During the monarchy, the King attended the Hanuman Dhoka ceremony; today, the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation represents the state. Fulpati signals the festive peak of Dashain, prompting government and private offices to close as families gather to receive blessings of Goddess Durga and their elders.
