By Our Correspondents, Nepalgunj/Rajbiraj/Mugu/Kalikot, Oct. 18: Phulpati, a collection of sacred leaves, plants and fruits brought into homes and temples as part of Dashain rituals, was ceremonially brought to prominent temples in several districts of western Nepal and Madhes on Saturday, the seventh day of the festival.
At the famous Bageshwori Temple in Nepalgunj, Banke, Phulpati was brought in with traditional music and celebrations, accompanied by salutes from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force. Banana plants, bel leaves, pomegranates, rice stalks, ashoka leaves, ginger shoots and fruits were brought into the temple as auspicious offerings.
Special prayers were performed on the occasion, adding to the festive atmosphere at the temple. Chief priest Chandranath Yogi said the tradition of bringing Phulpati to the temple on Saptami, the seventh day of Dashain, had been followed every year.
The ceremony was attended by the commander of the Nepal Army's Bajradal Battalion, Banke Chief District Officer Dil Kumar Tamang, Superintendent of Police Angur GC, Armed Police Force Superintendent of Police Bhim Bahadur Chand and other prominent local figures. Members of the public also brought Phulpati into their homes, said Krishna Prasad Shrestha, coordinator of the Nepalgunj Civil Society.
Meanwhile, Phulpati was brought to Rajdevi Temple in Rajbiraj Municipality-1, Saptari, by joint teams of the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police. Before the ceremony, the security personnel marched through various parts of Rajbiraj.
The event was attended by Saptari Chief District Officer Shyam Krishna Thapa, Barakh Battalion commander Madhav Khadka, Armed Police Force Superintendent of Police Nabin Singh Rai, Superintendent of Police Rupak Khadka, representatives of civil society and local residents. The three security agencies have been jointly performing the ritual at the temple every year on Saptami.
Similarly, security personnel from the three security agencies stationed in Mugu brought Phulpati to Kalika Malika Temple in Gamgadhi Bazaar, the district headquarters. The temple, located in Chhayanath Rara Municipality-2, is regarded as one of the district's major Shaktipeeths, or sacred sites dedicated to the goddess.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Armed Police Force Nepal No. 45 Battalion Birendra Shrestha, the ceremony was held in keeping with the tradition of bringing Phulpati to temples on the seventh day of Dashain. Temple priest Purna Prasad Chaulagain said personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force brought their respective palanquins carrying the goddess Durga to the temple. The tradition also includes offering salutes and animal sacrifices after Phulpati is brought into the temple.
Likewise, Phulpati was brought from the Kalika Devi Temple at the historic Kot Durbar in Manma, the headquarters of Kalikot, by the Nepal Army amid traditional music and celebrations.
The ritual added to the festive atmosphere in the district headquarters, highlighting the religious and cultural significance of Dashain. Priest Jaichanda Adhikari said the arrival of Phulpati had further heightened the festive mood. He said the Nepal Army had traditionally brought Phulpati from the temple at Kot Durbar, where he had been performing the worship for years.
The tradition of bringing Phulpati to the temple at the historic palace has helped preserve religious practices and customs passed down through generations, according to the report.
Phulpati was also brought to temples in several rural areas of Kalikot, including Thegelli Devi Temple in Raskot, Kalika Devi temples in Sanni Triveni and Shubha Kalika, as well as other local shrines dedicated to the goddess. The arrival of people from outside their villages has added to the festive bustle, while religious ceremonies have heightened the excitement in the district headquarters.
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