Fulpati and lakhe dances

Overview

What it is: Fulpati is the seventh day of Dashain, celebrated by welcoming sacred flowers and leaves into homes and temples. It’s followed by Lakhe dances, where masked dancers in red costumes represent powerful spirits, driving away evil.

When it is celebrated: These traditions take place during Dashain, the biggest Nepali Hindu festival, usually in October, and are especially vibrant in Darjeeling’s Nepali communities.

Where it is observed: Celebrations are held in and around Darjeeling town, especially near temples, community halls, and open grounds like Chowrasta Mall and local monasteries.

Details

• There are many ups and downs in the steps of human life with the passage of time, day, month, year. With each passing day and month, each nation has its own festivals, then all the people forget those ups and downs, forget all their sorrows and problems and start celebrating with joy. In the same way, the festivals of the Gorkha caste are also observed by the people with great interest, inviting the culture in principle. Vijaya Dashami and Tihar are the festivals celebrated by Gorkhas and Nepali castes. During Navami, a kind of activity is seen in all the places, while from the month of August, a kind of enthusiasm and happiness is seen in all the markets, villages and settlements. And when Navami is started, Baja-Gaza(Musical and Dance Peformance) is performed everywhere and in most of the religious places, the worship of Nav Durga Mata is performed with pomp and circumstance. Even from the departmental areas of the Darjeeling hills, processions are held annually with special programs to support this Navami moment. Along with all the historical associations in the Darjeeling hills, people of different castes and ethnicities come together to enjoy the festivities. And in Darjeeling, one of the largest and most magnificent traditional festivals, the flower procession has a special historical significance.
• The sequence of sixteen shraddhas will be completed before Navami and the remembrance of Ramjam of Vijaya Dashami will make everyone’s mind happy. Even so, owning one is still beyond the reach of the average person. Starting from Ashwin Shukla Pratipada of autumn, Vijayadashami, the practice of vaccinating on Vijaya Dashami on the full moon day ends. First of all, on the day of the establishment of the great Pratipada Ghat, Mata Shailaputri is worshiped. Cultural practice has remained. The tradition of the Gurkha and Nepali castes to receive blessings by tithes and Jamara is generally said to end only on the day of Purnima.

Witnessing Fulpati and the Enchantment of Lakhe Dances

Morning – Welcoming the Sacred Flora.Visit Baba Mahakal Mandir or a local community temple to witness Fulpati rituals, where devotees bring in auspicious plants symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.Take part in flower offerings and traditional prayers, led by community elders.

Midday – Community Gatherings.Enjoy local festive foods and tea at community halls or roadside stalls set up for Dashain.Engage with locals who prepare for the evening’s Lakhe performances—observe costume preparations and mask rituals.

Evening – Lakhe Dance Extravaganza.Head to Chowrasta Mall or an open square where the Lakhe dance is performed.Watch masked dancers perform intense, rhythmic steps to the beat of drums, symbolizing the cleansing of negative energy and the celebration of divine power. End your evening with local snacks and witness fireworks or lighting displays if organized.

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