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On the occasion of the Bada Dashain festival, the Fulpati is being taken into the homes as per tradition throughout the country today. 

Fulpati, an assortment of flowers, leaves and fruits of different plants considered auspicious, is anointed at the Dashain Ghar on the seventh day of the Bada Dashain festival. 

The Fulpati is brought to Kathmandu as per the Vedic rites to be anointed at the Dashain Ghar at the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar. 

The Gurujyuko Platoon, the Nepal Army, Nepal police, and high-ranking officials of Armed Police and civil service, the Asha Gurja team, band music, and panchebaja bands and decorated kalsyoulis, and a procession along with cultural pageantry leave Hanuman Dhoka for Jamal with the Fulpati. 

During the monarchy, the King, as the Head of State, used to attend the Fulpati ritual at Dashain Ghar, but with the foundation of the Republic, the Minister for Culture is attending, said the Durbar Museum Development Committee. 

The auspicious hour to bring the Fulpati this year is fixed at 4:30 pm. It was informed that the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and local level representatives in Kathmandu were invited to attend the rituals. 

Though the Dashain festival begins from Ghatasthapana, the festival sees special fervor from the day of Fulpati. 

All governments, as well as private offices, close down from today encouraging people to go back to their respective ancestral homes and take blessings from Durga Bhawani as well as their elders. 

Rain is expected during this year’s Dashain festival, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), which has issued a special Dashain weather bulletin. The bulletin indicates that rainfall may occur in many areas from Ashtami and Nawami to Dashami. Although continuous heavy rain is unlikely, intermittent showers are possible.

DHM has advised travelers to check daily forecasts and road conditions during the festival, as weather can vary across regions.

On Sept 30 (Ashtami), light to moderate rain is expected in the hilly areas of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, as well as in some parts of Koshi’s hills and Tarai. On Nawami, Oct 1, certain hilly areas in Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces may experience light to moderate rainfall.

By Oct 2 (Dashami), the monsoon is predicted to become somewhat active, with rain possible in the hilly regions of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Karnali provinces, as well as in parts of Koshi’s hills and Tarai. Light to moderate rain may also occur in limited areas of Madhesh and Sudurpashchim.Heavy rainfall could occur in one or two locations in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces on Dashami.

Overall, the monsoon’s influence is expected to continue throughout this year’s Dashain period. While the monsoon generally withdraws around Oct 2 in Nepal, the exact date varies from year to year.

Former King Gyanendra Shah has announced that he will not be offering tika to the public during this year’s Dashain festival. He cited the grief caused by the recent GenZ movement, in which several people lost their lives, and the overall sensitive environment as reasons for his decision.

Extending his Dashain greetings, Shah said, “We must uphold truth, discipline, respect for elders, and love for the nation. Whatever has happened, the new generation and the new era must now move forward with hope, trust, and confidence. At this time, the nation is in deep destruction and mourning, so we are compelled to celebrate the festival only within family and cultural limits. Unlike previous years, we will not be providing tika and jamara to the wider public.”

Praying for divine guidance, he added: “May Goddess Navadurga lead us on a righteous path.”

In his message, Shah emphasized Nepal’s sovereignty and proud history. “Our ancestors’ sacrifices to safeguard unity, integrity, sovereignty, and independence form the backbone of our existence and culture. On this basis, Nepal has always stood as an independent and self-respecting nation. We must not fall into dependency or geopolitical traps but continue to rebuild a strong and unified Nepal.”

Shah stressed the importance of aligning governance with people’s aspirations and modern times. “It is essential to move forward with timely reforms in the state system, keeping in mind the sentiments of the people. The aspirations of the new generation must be embraced, and modern technology and scientific skills adopted. While advancing physical development and adapting to the changing global order, we must preserve our identity, values, and principles.”

Highlighting the role of youth, he said, “The younger generation is the pillar of our future. Their patriotism, energy, and innovative thinking alone can guide the nation toward strength, prosperity, and self-reliance. Instead of destroying, burning, or breaking, our programs must now focus on rebuilding and strengthening.”

After a landslide, the Muglin-Narayangadh section has become one-way once more.

In Chitwan’s Tuin Khola area, a dry landslide had earlier blocked the road, which was cleared, allowing traffic to resume.

However, on Sunday morning, another landslide occurred near Dasdhunga.

The authorities stated that the new landslide is not large and is expected to be cleared within about an hour, after which the highway will reopen for two-way traffic.