Fulpati marks peak Dashain festivities as leaders extend greetings; PM extends best wishes on Bijaya Dashami, pledges to create jobs at home, foster prosperity

Kathmandu / Oct. 17: 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.

PM extends best wishes on Bijaya Dashami, pledges to create jobs at home, foster prosperity

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said the government is committed to ending the situation that forces Nepali citizens to leave the country in search of jobs abroad by creating employment opportunities and promoting prosperity within the country. He said this in his message of best wishes today on the occasion of the Bijaya Dashami festival.

According to the prime minister, Bada Dashain has been established among citizens as a festival of family reunions, promoting unity, mutual bonds, family interactions and stronger ties.

Describing Bada Dashain as a festival carrying wider religious, social and cultural importance, the prime minister said it has contributed to uniting Nepali citizens residing in various parts of the country.

The tradition of receiving ‘tika’ and ‘jamara’ during Dashain reflects the Nepali cultural ethos of showing respect for elders and love and affection for younger people. The atmosphere of Bada Dashain is unique. “The sky itself feels different, the earth carries a unique fragrance, and the surroundings become naturally filled with joy and exuberance,” he said.

On the occasion of this auspicious festival, Prime Minister Shah extended his warmest wishes to everyone. He expressed the hope that Bada Dashain, a festival that unites the Nepali community scattered across the world, would bring celebration and joy to every home.

Prime Minister Shah recalled that, despite facing numerous challenges and difficult circumstances, the Nepali people have continued to embrace the festival celebrations while preserving their religious, cultural and social values, as well as their unique traditions.

“Dashain has been celebrated even during difficult times in the country, whether in the aftermath of the earthquake or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the festival came shortly after the ‘Gen Z’ movement and the subsequent period of heightened tension; yet, we continued to celebrate it in accordance with our customs and traditions,” the prime minister said.

This year too, Dashain arrives while grief over the loss of lives and damage caused by the devastating floods that struck the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli river system remains fresh, the prime minister said, praying for eternal peace for those who lost their lives and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. He also extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

In a post on social media, the head of the government said the government was urgently working to rehabilitate those displaced by the disaster.

The prime minister added that the government was aware that Dashain celebrations should not impose an economic burden on anyone and was working tirelessly to take the country toward good governance while taking appropriate measures to foster economic prosperity.

Dashain is also celebrated as a symbol of the victory of truth over evil, he said, expressing his hope that the festival would inspire all Nepalis to follow the path of truth, overcome negative thoughts and conquer the evil within themselves.

“On a spiritual level, each of us may recognize the ‘Mahishasura’ and ‘Ravana’ within ourselves and strive to overcome them. I also wish that we may conquer lust, anger, greed, envy and ego, which are the root causes of human suffering,” he said.