Fulpati marks peak Dashain festivities as leaders extend greetings

Fulpati, the seventh day of Bada Dashain, is being observed across Nepal today, with people preparing to return to their ancestral homes for family reunions and receive blessings from elders during the country's biggest Hindu festival.

A collection of auspicious flowers, leaves and fruits is traditionally brought into homes and placed in the Dashain Ghar on Fulpati. In Kathmandu, the ceremonial Fulpati is brought from outside the Valley and taken to Hanuman Dhoka Durbar for the traditional ritual, accompanied by a cultural procession from Hanuman Dhoka to Jamal.

Although Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana, festivities gather momentum from Fulpati. Government offices and many private institutions begin their Dashain holidays from today, allowing people to travel home for the festival.

President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Balendra Shah and National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal extended Dashain greetings, wishing Nepalis at home and abroad happiness, peace, prosperity and good health.

In his message, President Paudel said Dashain strengthens family ties, social harmony and national unity amid Nepal's ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic diversity. He also expressed condolences to families affected by recent floods and urged collective efforts to rehabilitate displaced people.

Vice-President Yadav described Bijaya Dashami as a celebration of human values, morality and virtue, saying the festival reinforces the belief that truth and justice ultimately prevail. He said Dashain also encourages tolerance, self-discipline, cooperation and goodwill.

Prime Minister Shah said the festival brings families together but acknowledged the hardship faced by Nepalis compelled to work abroad and unable to return home for celebrations. He said the government was committed to improving livelihoods and ending the circumstances that force citizens to leave the country for employment.

Referring to recent floods in districts including Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Gorkha, Shah expressed condolences to bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He said the government was working to rehabilitate displaced people.

National Assembly Chairperson Dahal said Dashain could help strengthen national unity, social harmony, mutual respect and cooperation, contributing to the goal of building an inclusive and prosperous Nepal.