Kathmandu, September 26

Nepali Hindus are celebrating Fulpati, the seventh day of Dashain festival, today.

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 is brought to Hanumandhoka from Gorkha district on a decorated palanquin.

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

Nepal Army stages a parade at Tundikhel in the capital.

All government offices remain closed for five days from Fulpati to Dwadashi (second day after Tika). The eighth and ninth day of Dashain is celebrated as Mahaastami and Mahanavami, respectively.

According to Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, the auspicious hour of this Dashain tika is 11:45am on Saturday (September 30), the 10th day of Dashain, which is also called Vijaya Dashami. However, one can offer and receive tika as per one’s convenience although the most auspicious hour is 11:45am.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari is also scheduled to offer tika and jamara from 2:00 to 3:00pm to

interested VIPs, deputy prime ministers and lawmakers and members of the general public from 3:00pm at the gate number 1 of Shital Niwas on the day of Vijaya Dashami, read a press release issued by the Office of the President.

Hindus across the country are preparing for Dashain Tika ritual along with family reunion.

The tika is a mixture of rice grains, curd and red vermilion powder formed into a paste and put on the forehead as a blessing from Goddess Durga on the 10th day of Dashain festival.