Fulpati observed in Sikkim today

Gangtok,September25: Hindu devotees across the Sikkim  are observing the day of Fulpati on Friday amidst religious ceremonies and festivities.

On the day of Fulpati, the seventh day of Navaratri, an assortment of sacred shrubs that are offered to Goddess Durga is taken inside the Dashain Ghar .Traditionally, the Fulpati, the procession bearing the jamara and other items necessary for the tika, is carried on foot  the Phulpati filled with holy water, banana stalks, jamara and sugar cane tied with red cloth is carried by Brahmans to the Dashain Ghar .

Fulpati also marks the beginning of official weeklong Dashain holidays in government offices and educational institutes all over Sikkim.

The Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated across the world by Nepalese of all castes and creed.

The two week long celebration takes place during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the full moon day. Throughout Nepal, people worship goddess Durga in all her manifestations with elaborate rituals and lavish pujas. They also make abundant offerings, including animal sacrifices. People slaughter animals, usually goats and offer to their deity.

Hindu mythology has it that, Dashain is symbolic of the victory of the gods over the demons. Various Hindu epics explain the triumph of good over evil .The festival is symbolised by goddess Durga slaying the the most-dreaded demon - Mahisasur. The demon is guise as a fearful water buffalo. .

Most often, epics like the Ramayana tells one of the victory stories, where Lord Ram, believed to be an incarnation of Bishnu, after a long-drawn-out battle slaughtered Ravana, the king of demons. It is argued that Lord Ram was successful in the battle as he was blessed by goddess Durga. Thus, the Durga Puja. The first nine days signify the pitch battle fought between goddess Durga and the demon Mahisasur. The tenth day, Dashami, is the day when Mahisasur was slained. The day is marked as Bijaya Dashami, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

The Dashain is celebrated by people of all hues and colour with great ecstasy, merriment, and lavish food and drinks