What is a Phulpati, and 'Flower Relation' between Gorkha Durbar and Hanuman Dhoka?

Flowers (Phoolpati) are brought on the seventh day of Dashain i.e. Navratra. The seventh day is also called Kalaratri. Although Dashain is considered to have started from the time of Ghatsthapana, from the day of flowering, Dashain begins to be very bright and vibrant.

On the same day, a doli with flowers is brought from Dashainghar of Gorkha Durbar and brought to Dashainghar in Basantapur, Kathmandu. It has been a tradition to bring six people of the Magar caste from Gorkha to Jeevanpur of Dhading district including priests of Dashainghar and six people of the Brahmin caste from Jeevanpur to Jamal of Kathmandu. From Jamal to Hanuman Dhoka, high-ranking officials of the civil service, Gurju's platoon, band baja, panche baja and cultural dance songs are brought along with lavalaskar (a long queue).

It is a long-standing tradition to bring flowers to the Dashainghar of Hanuman Dhoka in Basantapur. It has been a tradition to bring the flowers brought from Gorkha Durbar to the site taken out by the adjudicating committee. It is also customary for the army to give special salutes.

As long as the monarchy existed, the king was also present as the head of state while bringing flowers to the Dashainghar of Hanumandhoka Durbar. However, the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee has stated that the Minister of Culture will be present after the establishment of the republic.

According to historians and culturists, the custom of sending Gorkha flowers to Kathmandu is linked to the conquest of Kathmandu by the then Gorkhali king Prithvi Narayan Shah during the expansion of his kingdom. It is said that Prithvinarayan conquered the Kathmandu Valley and built the capital of the unified state in the Basantapur area.

What is the Phoolpati?

Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami dates are as important as Dashain i.e. the first day of Navratra. On the seventh day, flowers are brought to the Dashainghar and temples and houses as worship materials for Dashain.

On the seventh day of Navratri, flowers are being worshiped at Tundikhel in Kathmandu. What exactly is a flower? The flower is considered as a symbol of Nava Durga. Banana, Pomegranate, Paddy, Haledo (Tumeric), Mane, Karchur, Bell, Ashoka and Jayanti.

The flower basket with the leaves of these nine types of plants is called flowering. It is also called Navapatika. In Dashainghar, these nine plants are brought in on the seventh day of Navratra and Navdurga is gradually bathed and various deities are worshiped in each of the letters. On the leaves of these nine types of plants, Brahmani, Raktachandika, Lakshmi, Durga, Chamunda, Kalika, Shiva, Shokaharini and Karthiki are worshiped, respectively, by invoking Goddess Nava Durga one by one.

This fact is also remembered as Indra, Shiva, Vishnu and Shri Ram fasted Navratra for the slaughter of Vritasura, Tripurasura, Madhukaitava and Ravana. On this day especially Mahasaraswati and books, copies, pens and masidani etc. are also worshiped. On this day, the farmers go to the field and worship the paddy with sandalwood, akshata and flowers and bring the rice ears and plants into the house.