Fulpati (Saptami) - Seventh Day of Dashain Festival

After six day of Ghatasthapana, people celebrate Fulpati on the seventh day of Dashain Festival. The day falls on Saptami tithi of the month Ashwin (September / October) as per Nepali lunar calendar.

On this day, people bring nine different varieties of flowers and plants into their home. All nine plants represent nine goddesses of health, wealth and prosperity. So, fulpati is the next important event in this festival.

About Fulpati

‘Ful’ means flower and ‘Pati’ means leaves and plants. Gurujyu Paltan brings Fulpati to Hanumandhoka Durbar Square from Historic Gorkha Palace. People also take jamara from 'Jamara Ghar' at Jamal. After that, the priest worships the fulpati in a vedic manner on the basis of a lunar calendar. Entire Nepalese Hindu community follows the same auspicious time to worship at their home.

Once Fulpati arrives at Hanumandhoka durbar, people start celebrating the festival. The performers of Gurujyu Paltan play Baja-Gaza ('Musical instrument') and perform special dance and music. They fire traditional Flintlock Muskets in the palace. People worship Navadurga with huge ebullience.

King Prithivi Narayan saha started the tradition of bringing Fulpati from Historic Gorkha Palace. This event is performed so the Goddess Durga Bhawani blesses Kathmandu city equal to Gorkha.

Army units from different camps organize "Phulpati Badhai'' event at Tudikhel. During this event, Nepalese Army perform parades and also exhibit cannon firing. They perform the whole event in the presence of the president of Nepal.

Nine plants of fulpati (navapatrika)

The nine mix of the plant in fulpati is called navapatrika. Below is the list of nine plants which represent the nine goddesses of fulpati.

• Banana Plant: represents Goddess Brahmani who blesses us with peace.
• Pomegranate: represents Goddess Rakta Dantika who blesses us with fertility.
• Rice stalk: represents Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
• Turmeric Plant: represents Goddess Durga who puts the end to our obstacles.
• Manabriksha: represents Goddess Chamunda, who puts an end to evil.
• Ginger Plant: represents Goddess Kalika, who is the symbol of power.
• Wood Apple: represents Goddess Parbati.
• Ashok Plant: represents Goddess Sokarahita who is a symbol of relief from all kinds of suffering.
• Jayanti: represents Goddess Kartiki.

People believe, these mix of plants brings a different Goddess with it. All the Goddess bless the whole nation with health, wealth and prosperity. Once they complete the event they enjoy the day and wait for the next day of Dashain Festival. The following day falls Ashtami which marks the sacrificial day of Dashain festival.