The fortnight-long Hindu festival of ‘Bada Dashain,’ meaning Grand Dashain, starts with Ghatasthapana. On that day, a ghat (meaning pot), symbolizing the Goddess Durga, is established, and barley and other seeds are sown on a sandy bed in a special room.
As the seeds continue growing with daily worship of different forms of the Goddess, Dashain feels closer and closer. The seventh day, known as ‘Fulpati,’ is special, not just because the Grand Day is three days away. On this day, people bring in ‘ful and pati,’ meaning flowers and leaves for the worship of different forms of the Goddess. It is customary to bring nine different types of leaves: banana, pomegranate, rice stalks, turmeric, mané grass, barley, bel leaves, Ashoka, and Jayanthi. Each of these leaves is dedicated to a manifestation of Goddess Durga: Brahmani, Rakta Chandika, Lakshmi, Durga, Chamunda, Kali, Shiva, Shokaharini, and Kartiki.
‘Fulpati’ has a special connection to the founding of Nepal as it is today. Shah Kings used to bring in ‘Fulpati’ from Gorkha, their ancestral seat, although they shifted their capital to Kathmandu. The tradition continues to this date. After a ritual performed by the caretaker of the ancient Gorkha Palace, six Magar men carry a palanquin with auspicious flowers and leaves from the palace early in the morning. From Jivanpur to Jamal in Kathmandu, six Brahmins sent from Kathmandu take it forward. From Jamal to Dashain Ghar (House) of Hanumandhoka, the Phulpati is carried in a grand procession with senior government officials, the Gurju’s platoon, military bands, Panche Baja, decorated vessels, and cultural performances.
In the monarchy era, the King attended the Hanuman Dhoka ceremony. The procession was considered to represent the power and influence of the Shah Dynasty. Now the Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation represents the state in this ceremony.
A similar version of the procession is carried out in Shakti Peeths (temples of different forms of Goddess Durga) across the country on this day.
