Fulpati 2026: Date, Meaning, Navapatrika & History of Dashain’s Seventh Day

Fulpati (also spelled Phulpati) is the seventh day of Dashain, Nepal’s biggest Hindu festival. In 2026, it falls on Saturday, 17 October (Ashoj 31, 2083 BS). On Fulpati, Hindu families bring a bundle of nine sacred plants called the Navapatrika into their homes, while a state procession carries the royal Fulpati from Gorkha Durbar to the Dashain Ghar at Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu. Fulpati is also the first day of Nepal’s official Dashain holiday.

Interesting facts about Fulpati

What is Fulpati?

A household Fulpati (Navapatrika) bundle: nine sacred plants offered to Goddess Durga.

Fulpati is the day the goddess is ritually welcomed into the home in the form of nine plants. The name joins two Nepali words: ful (flower) and pati (leaves and plants). It falls on Saptami, the seventh day of the Navaratri fortnight that begins with Ghatasthapana and peaks on Vijaya Dashami.

For most Nepalis, Fulpati is when Dashain truly arrives. Offices close, Kathmandu empties as families travel home, and the Nepali Army’s gun salute at Tundikhel echoes across the valley.

When is Fulpati 2026? Dates for 2025 to 2028?

Dashain 2026 (2083 BS) at a glance. Fulpati falls on Saturday, 17 October.

Fulpati 2026 is on Saturday, 17 October 2026. The table below uses the official schedule issued by the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Bikas Samiti on Ashoj 20, 2083, matched against Hamro Patro’s 2083 holiday calendar.

Why do some websites show different dates?

Monday 19 October 2026 (Kartik 2) is a Dashain holiday with no named festival, because of how the lunar days fall. Sites that simply count nine days from Ghatasthapana wrongly put Navami on 19 October and Dashami on 20 October. The official dates are Navami on 20 October and Vijaya Dashami on 21 October.

Future Fulpati dates (tentative): around Wednesday, 6 October 2027 and Monday, 25 September 2028, based on  Drik Panchang. Nepal’s official calendar for those years is not yet published.

What are the nine plants of Fulpati (Navapatrika)?

The nine plants of the Navapatrika and the goddesses believed to reside in them.

The Navapatrika is a bundle of nine sacred plants, each believed to hold one goddess. Nava means nine and patrika means leaves in Sanskrit. According to Dharmashastra scholar Prof. Dr. Ram Chandra Gautam, quoted by Onlinekhabar and Kantipur, these nine goddesses are the attendants (parshad) of the Navadurga.

Why lists differ: the sixth plant varies by region. Most Nepali news lists sugarcane, some Nepali sources list ginger (aduwa), and Bengal uses kachu (colocasia). Gorkha Durbar’s own 2025 bundle included both sugarcane and ginger. A few sources pair bel with Parvati rather than Shiva. On the national route, a forest flower called mane is also added at Swayambhu.

Which goddess is worshipped on Fulpati?

On Fulpati, Hindus worship Kalaratri, the seventh of the nine forms of Durga (Navadurga). She is depicted as dark-skinned with three eyes and four arms, holding a sword and a torch, and is known for slaying the demon Raktabija. In many homes, a Ganesh kalash is set up with nine small stones for the nine goddesses, and food offerings (naivedya) and fruit are presented. Some families also begin animal sacrifice from this day, while others offer fruits and vegetables instead.

Kalaratri, the seventh form of Durga, is worshipped on Fulpati (Saptami).

The night of Maha Ashtami, which follows Fulpati, is popularly called Kal Ratri (the dark night). This naming overlap is why some sources link Kalaratri with Ashtami rather than Saptami.

History of Fulpati: from Gorkha Durbar to Hanuman Dhoka

Gorkha Durbar palace on a hilltop in Gorkha, Nepal, where the royal Fulpati procession begins

The Fulpati sent from Gorkha to Kathmandu is a Shah-dynasty tradition that began after Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered the Kathmandu Valley in 1825 BS (1768–69 AD). Worship of the Navapatrika itself is older, and the history has three layers:

1. Malla-era Kathmandu. Historian Mahesh Raj Panta cites a Nepal Sambat 789 memo and the Malla text Varshakriya as evidence that Phulpati was observed in the valley before the Shahs (Onlinekhabar).

2. Gorkha Durbar. Fulpati rites at the Shahs’ ancestral palace predate unification. Local elders credit Drabya Shah, founder of the Gorkha kingdom, with starting them in 1616 BS (Kathmandu Post) traces them at least to Prithvipati Shah’s reign. Treat the 1616 BS date as local tradition rather than documented fact.

3. Gorkha to Kathmandu. After taking Kantipur, Prithvi Narayan Shah reportedly ordered that Fulpati be brought from Gorkha to his new seat at Hanuman Dhoka. The order became custom, and it has continued for about 250 years. Gorkha’s chief priest Sharada Prasad Bhattarai says worship at Hanuman Dhoka begins only after the Gorkha Fulpati arrives (Kantipur, 2025)

Under the Shahs, Dashain grew into Nepal’s main state ritual, and Fulpati became the moment the state’s festival formally began. Photographs from the 1960s–70s in the British Library’s Chitrakar collection (EAP838) show Brahmins from Gorkha carrying the royal kalash, banana stalks, jamara, and sugarcane into Hanuman Dhoka before hundreds of officials.

Hanuman Dhoka during Fulpati, 1960s-70s. Photo: Dirgha Man and Ganesh Man Chitrakar collection, via the British Library.

The Fulpati route: How does the royal Fulpati reach Kathmandu?

The route of the royal Fulpati, from Gorkha Durbar to Hanuman Dhoka.

The royal Fulpati travels from Gorkha Durbar to Hanuman Dhoka in relays, handled by different communities at each stage. It was traditionally a walk of about three days; today, much of the journey is made by vehicle.

1. Piple, Gorkha (Shashthi, day 6): a bel nimantran (bel invitation) ritual is held. The nine plants are gathered from forests at Paslang, Reep and Amarai.

2. Gorkha Durbar Dashain Ghar (Saptami morning): the priest, the kalsheni, the mangaleni and the inner attendants (bhitriya susare) of the Gorkhakali temple prepare the bundle. Part stays at Gorkha; the rest leaves on a decorated palanquin (doli).

3. Fulpati Chautara, Satipipal: palace attendants carry the palanquin this far.

4. Jivanpur, Dhading: six Magar men and the Dashain Ghar priest have traditionally carried it to here, where it is handed to six Brahmins from Kathmandu.

5. Swayambhu: the sacred mane flower from the Swayambhu forest is added.

6. Jamal, Kathmandu: a state procession receives the Fulpati. 7. Hanuman Dhoka Dashain Ghar: the Fulpati is installed at the auspicious hour.

The royal Fulpati consists of a kalash of holy water, jamara, banana stalks and sugarcane wrapped in red cloth, together with the Navapatrika. From Jamal to Hanuman Dhoka, it is escorted by senior civil servants, the Gurujyu Platoon of the Nepali Army, army and police units, a military band, panche baja musicians, women carrying decorated kalsyauli (water vessels) and cultural dancers.

What is Fulpati Badhai at Tundikhel?

The Nepali Army’s Fulpati Badhai salute at Tundikhel, Kathmandu.

Fulpati Badhai is the Nepali Army’s ceremonial salute at the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel, held as the Fulpati is installed at Hanuman Dhoka. Soldiers fire rifle volleys and cannon for about 10 to 15 minutes, followed by a parade, a Durga dance and, in recent years, flower showers from helicopters and drones (Radio Nepal, 2025). The President attends as Supreme Commander, along with the Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, ministers, and foreign diplomats.

What changed after the monarchy?

Until 2008, the King took part as head of state. Since Nepal became a republic, the President has taken the King’s place at Tundikhel, and the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation represents the state at the Hanuman Dhoka Dashain Ghar.

How to bring Fulpati home (Fulpati bhitryaune)

Fulpati bhitryaune: the Navapatrika is placed beside the kalash and jamara in the family puja room.

Fulpati bhitryaune means “bringing Fulpati inside.” On Saptami, families carry the Navapatrika into the Dashain Ghar, the puja room where jamara has been growing since Ghatasthapana, and worship it as the goddess.

Is there an auspicious time?

For households, generally no. In both 2024 and 2025, the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Bikas Samiti said no special sait is needed to bring Fulpati home. For 2026, the committee’s notice lists 7:37 AM for Fulpati and the Tulja Bhawani Yatra, which families who prefer a fixed time can follow. At Gorkha Durbar, by tradition, the Fulpati enters at sunset, when the sun is half hidden behind the western ridge.

Steps most families follow:

1. Gather the nine plants on Saptami morning, or buy a ready-made Fulpati bundle at the local market.

2. Tie the bundle with red cloth or thread, often with a pair of bel fruits.

3. Carry it into the Dashain Ghar and place it beside the kalash and jamara.

4. Worship the goddesses with flowers, rice, red vermilion (abir), incense and a lamp, then offer naivedya and fruit to Kalaratri.

5. Keep it in the shrine through Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami.

6. Immerse it respectfully in a river on Vijaya Dashami, or together with the jamara on Kojagrat Purnima. Never throw it away with ordinary waste.

In some Newar families, the nine plants are brought in on Ashtami instead of Saptami.

Fulpati 2025: What happened in Phulpati 2082?

Fulpati 2025 was observed on Monday, 29 September 2025 (Ashoj 13, 2082 BS). 

7:30 AM: The palanquin left Gorkha Durbar after rites led by the palace caretakers, paused at Fulpati Chautara in Satipipal, then continued by official vehicle.

4:30 PM: The Fulpati was installed at the Hanuman Dhoka Dashain Ghar, with the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation invited to represent the state.

Tundikhel: President Ramchandra Paudel attended the Fulpati Badhai with Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav and Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut. Helicopters and drones showered petals over a “Phulpati Procession–2082” banner (Radio Nepal).

Exodus: in the 24 hours of Fulpati day, Valley Traffic Police counted 111,639 people and 18,613 vehicles leaving the Kathmandu Valley (Kantipur).

Fulpati myths and facts

Several popular websites repeat details that official and news sources do not support.

How is Fulpati celebrated across communities?

Fulpati is observed by Hindu households throughout Nepal, but the details differ by community and region.

Gorkha: locals gather at Gorkha Durbar to see the palanquin off with music. Gorkha’s own Fulpati is brought into the palace Dashain Ghar at sunset with mangalini women singing auspicious songs.

Newar community: Newars observe the Dashain fortnight as Mohani. Their key days are Nalaswane (jamara sowing), Kuchhi Bhoy (the Ashtami feast), Syakwa Tyakwa (Navami, when Taleju temples open to the public) and Chalan (tika). Some Newar families bring the nine plants on Ashtami. On the seventh day, Khokana holds the Sikali Jatra.

Magar community: six Magar bearers traditionally carry the royal Fulpati from Gorkha to Dhading, a role held for generations.

Nepali diaspora: temples and community groups in Australia, the US, the UK, and the Gulf hold Fulpati and Dashain pujas, often on the nearest weekend.

Fulpati vs Nabapatrika (Kola Bou) in Bengal

Bengal’s Durga Puja shares the same Saptami rite under the name Nabapatrika. The idea is identical: nine plants for nine goddesses, but the practice differs:

Visiting Nepal during Fulpati: travel tips

Basantapur Durbar Square is one of the best places to experience Fulpati in Kathmandu.

Fulpati is one of the most atmospheric days to be in Kathmandu, but it is also the start of the busiest travel week of the year.

• Where to watch: stand along the Jamal to Basantapur route in the afternoon to see the procession, or near Tundikhel for the army salute. Arrive early; security cordons go up around the official stands.
• Book transport early: buses and domestic flights out of Kathmandu sell out days before Fulpati. Shops, offices and many restaurants close from Fulpati through Vijaya Dashami.
• Join the festivals in Nepal respectfully: ask before photographing family pujas, remove shoes in shrine rooms, and expect animal sacrifice at major temples on Ashtami and Navami.
• Combine with trekking: Dashain falls in October, the peak trekking season, and many guides, porters, and drivers take leave to be with family. Confirm your team’s availability well in advance.

Conclusion

Fulpati turns Dashain from a quiet household puja into a nationwide celebration. A tradition that began at Gorkha Durbar still travels to Hanuman Dhoka about 250 years later, while families across Nepal carry the same nine plants into their own puja rooms. Whether you watch the Fulpati Badhai at Tundikhel or simply welcome the Navapatrika home, 17 October 2026 is the day Dashain truly begins. Fulpati ko hardik shubhakamana!

Share this Fulpati greeting with family and friends.