Table of Contents
The tradition of bringing flowers into the Saktipith is believed to have continued from the Gopal dynasty, but the Gorkhali king Ramshah conquered Salyankot based on the advice, guidance, and tantric power of Dullab Rishi, crossing Budhi Gandaki via the road of Padkeghari/Kalidhunga or through Dhawatar near Borlang Ghat. After that, the history of the current tradition of bringing flowers to Gorkha on Saptami Tithi of Dasai from Salyankot is found.
Later, it is said that Prithvi Narayan Shah unified Nepal based on the advice, guidance, and tantric power of his Guru Kulanand Dhakal! After that, there is a tradition of bringing flower pots brought from the Gorkha district into the Dasainghar of Hanumandhoka Palace. From Gorkha to Jeevanpur in Dhading district, Then six people from the Magar caste along with a Dasainghar priest bring it and from Jeevanpur in Dhading district to Jamal in Kathmandu, six people from Brahmin caste bring it from Kathmandu. From Jamal to Hanumandhoka, Fulpati is brought along with high-ranking officials of the civil service, Gurkha platoon, bandabaza, panchebaza, decorated kalsyudis, and a group devoted to cultural dances.
On the day of Saptami Tithi, there is an act of entering Phoolpati Agam as a pooja material for Dashain. On this day, after growing in Sadar Tundikhel, these nine types of leaves in the form of banana, darim, paddy, haledo, mane, karchur, bel, ashok and jayanti are brought to the place where Durga is worshiped at the rate of worshiping each one.
In these nine leaves, Brahmani, Raktakhandika, Lakshmi, Durga, Chamunda, Kalika, Shiva, Shokharini and Kartiki are worshiped one by one with sixteen ingredients. Here, Shiva, Vishnu and Sri Rama observed the Navratri fast for the slaying of Vrithasura, Tripurasura, Madhukaitbha and Ravana respectively.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कालरात्री रूपेण संस्थिता
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।
अर्थातः
कालरात्री देवीकी रूपमा सर्वत्र विराजमान माता अम्बे !
म तपाइलाई कोटी-कोटी प्रणाम गर्दछु, मलाई शक्ति दिनुहोस् ।।
Tradition dictates that 84 individuals, including Brahmins, Chhetris, Magar, Suchikar, and Gurungs, are chosen to transport the Fulpati from Gorkha to Kathmandu. These people are chosen for their bravery, purity, and social standing.
“Bahun-Bhetey” is the name of the 84 people who carry the Fulpati. They start at Gorkha Durbar (Palace) and travel to Nuwakot, where they spend the night. They continue their journey the following day to Kathmandu, where they are greeted by government officials and large crowds.
In Nepal, the Fulpati is an important part of the Dashain festival. During the Fulpati, a group of flowers, leaves, and fruits from various plants are carried in a procession because they are sacred. During the time of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the interaction to carry the Fulpati from Gorkha Durbar to Hanuman Dhoka Durbar would have involved the accompanying advances:
The best flowers, leaves, and fruits from various plants would have been chosen by a group known as the Fulpati team, and they would have been used to make the Fulpati.
The Fulpati would have been arranged by cautiously organizing the blossoms, leaves, and natural products in a particular example. This would have been carried out by skilled craftspeople who had received instruction in how to make the Fulpati.
From the Shah dynasty’s ancestral palace, Gorkha Durbar, the Fulpati would have been carried in a procession. The parade would have included individuals wearing conventional outfits, performers, and different members.
Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, Kathmandu’s royal palace, would have been the destination of the procession. The king or queen would have received the Fulpati here, where they would have performed a special puja (worship) to honor the Fulpati’s sacredness.
After the puja, the Fulpati would have been conveyed to different pieces of the castle, including the imperial patio and the sanctuary. It was believed that this represented prosperity and good fortune for the upcoming year.
During the time of Prithvi Narayan Shah, bringing the Fulpati from Gorkha Durbar to Hanuman Dhoka Durbar would have been a grand and colorful event that included religious ceremonies, music, and dance.
Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu/any destination to Gorkha and visit the historical town of Gorkha.
Day 2: Teak from Gorkha to Dhawa/Borlang passes through Bhimshen Park, Kokhe Aale, Khanchok/Ashrang.
Day 3: Trek to Katunje passes through Salyantar, Charange, Kharahe.
Day 4: Trek to Samari Bhyanjyang passes through Bharyangbhurung, Tharpu Bhanjyang, Thopal Khola
Day 5: Trek to Trishuli/Nuwakot Durbar passes through Hatti Gauda, Dhade Phedi, Sindhure Phedi
Day 6: Trek to Ranipauwa passes through Likhu, Chaturale,
Day 7: Trek to Kathmandu passes through Kakani, Pachmane, Balaju
Or,
Day 2: Teak from Gorkha to Khanchok/Ghyampeshal/Kyapani passes through Bhimshen Park, Kokhe Aale, Taple
Day 3: Teak to Arughat passes through Tarakhase, Siddha Kali/Tandrangkot, Mudalithumko, Maithum Thanithan then boating from Arughat to Ghatbeshi overnight at Ghatbeshi/Salyantar or Pachdhare/Taribeshi
Day 4: Trek to Katunje passes through Salyantar, Charange, Kharahe.
Day 5: Trek to Samari Bhyanjyang passes through Bharyangbhurung, Tharpu Bhanjyang, Thopal Khola
Day 6: Trek to Trishuli/Nuwakot Durbar passes through Hatti Gauda, Dhade Phedi, Sindhure Phedi
Day 7: Trek to Ranipauwa passes through Likhu, Chaturale,
Day 8: Trek to Kathmandu passes through Kakani, Pachmane, Balaju
Day 2: Teak from Gorkha to Bunkot/Mailung Dhungagade Adheri Bhyanjyang
Day 3: Trek to Salang passes through Maidi
Day 4: Trek to Kalleri passes through Parewatar, Kumpur
Day 5: Trek to Jeewanpur passes through Goganpani, Kebalpoor
Day 6: Trek to Kathmandu passes through Badritar, Mahesh Phant, Bhim Dhunga, Ramkot, Sitapaila, Tahachal
By the end of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth, the Shah Kings of Nepal were able to unite several small kingdoms under Gorkha rule. To expand the vast geography from Gorkha to the Tista River in the east and Kangra fort in the west, King Prithvi Narayan Shah and his successors led Gorkhali troops, fought wars, and traveled through multiple routes and trails across the Trans-Himalayan region. The Gorkhali troops used the unification trails to unite the neighboring principalities that would later become Nepal.
The unification trail alludes to the excursion of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who bound together Nepal in the eighteenth 100 years. In Nepal, the subject of unification trails receives less attention. They have recently gained popularity as historical sites where trekkers, tourists, historians, and researchers can learn about Gorkhali soldiers’ skillful expansion of the territory.
The government of Nepal could make investments in the construction of infrastructure, such as hiking trails, enhancing road accessibility, and providing accommodations for tourists, to promote the unification trail as a tourist attraction. The government could also use marketing campaigns to promote the trail and get investors to invest in tourism-related businesses along the way.
The Nepali Army has always interacted with the locals, encouraging tourism. It provides the local communities with connections, development opportunities, a foundation for serving the daily needs of small and medium-sized businesses, workers, and other disadvantaged groups along these trails, and an increase in income.
There are several key locations where Gorkhali troops traveled on foot in their unification drive across the eastern and western parts of Nepal. In the early years of the unification drive; Nuwakot was one of the key strategic locations located in the northwest of Kathmandu Valley. Before Prithvi Narayan Shah, his father King Narabhupal Shah had also led a failed attempt to annex Nuwakot. Troops led by Prithvi Narayan also failed to seize Nuwakot a couple of times. After multiple unsuccessful attempts, the Gorkhali forces launched an attack from a strategic point at Mahamandal of Nuwakot. Another group from Dharampani eventually capturing the area also supported the Gorkhali troops. The third group of Gorkhali troops led by Prithvi Narayan Shah himself from the Nuwakot Gadhi area marched further eventually capturing Nuwakot. This marks the first attempt of Prithvi Narayan Shah’s drive to unify several small kingdoms in the previous Kingdom of Gorkha.
Similarly, the success of annexing Nuwakot encouraged the Gorkhali troops to annex other kingdoms of Kathmandu Valley. Over the next few years, Gorkhali troops occupied key strategic positions surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. They adopted strategies of seizes and blockades surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. Gorkhali troops also marched to the southern region towards Makwanpur. Encircling the entire region, Gorkhali troops eventually captured Makwanpur fort (Gadhi). After the successful capture of Makwanpur Gadhi, the Gorkhali troops marched towards Hariharpur Gadhi, a strategic fort located at a mountain range, controlling access route, towards the south of Kathmandu.
Prithvi Narayan Shah led the unification campaign until he died in 1975. His descendants, the Shah Kings, continued the unification force and succeeded in extending the Kingdom of Gorkha to Kangra Fort in the western region currently in the Himachal Pradesh of India. In the next few years violent battle occurred with the Sikh soldiers of Punjab led by Ranjit Singh at Kangra Fort, Ganesh Valley, and the Gorkhali troops had to retreat with a loss. In the year 1809, on August 24, with the signing of the peace treaty, Gorkhali troops had to fall back to the Sutluj River. The battle of Kangra was one of the last efforts of the unification except for the annexation of Palpa.
The Fulpati trail in Nepal has great historical and contemporary importance for research as well as tourism potential. Until recently, it appears that these trails were largely neglected. Diverse communities and local people along the Fulpati trails constitute an important cultural mosaic that supported the Gorkhali and contributed to nation-building and cultural integrity. Gorkhali utilized diverse resources, strategic locations, and diverse geography encountering social groups across the current territory of Nepal and beyond which can constitute the major fulpati trail under the unification trail.
The development of the Fulpati trail primarily aims to safeguard Nepal’s historic treasures, encourage tourism in these middle hill regions, and provide visitors with an immersive experience of Nepal’s culture and natural beauty. Additionally, the trail will provide local communities with opportunities to benefit from tourism by providing employment and income.
The following elements are included in the proposed strategy for the development of the Unification Trail:
The first step is to bring together all parties involved, including trekking companies, local communities, government agencies, and tourism entrepreneurs. To oversee the project’s development, implementation, and monitoring, a coordination committee will be established. The committee will make certain that every stakeholder is involved, that their opinions are taken into consideration and that they are heard.
The infrastructure of the trail will be developed to enhance the visitor experience and ensure their safety. This includes developing garbage management systems, toilets, and rest areas. In addition, information boards, trail markers, and signage will be installed to direct visitors along the trail.
The task will incorporate expertise and limit-building programs for the neighborhood networks and the travel industry business visionaries. The skills of trekking guides, language, and hospitality will be the primary focus of the training. The objective is to create employment opportunities for the local communities and enhance the quality of services offered to visitors.
To attract more visitors, the promotion and marketing of the Historical Fulpati Trail will be enhanced. This includes creating brochures, a website, and campaigns on social media. The trail’s historical and cultural significance, scenic beauty, and hospitality will be highlighted in marketing materials.
The development of the Fulpati Trail is essential to promote the historical identity of Nepal in the tourism industry. This trail has the potential to benefit the local communities financially. This proposition intends to address the divided improvement of the path and unite all partners to cultivate a thorough arrangement. The plan includes marketing and promotion, building skills, and capacity, and developing infrastructure. The proposed plan will enhance the visitor experience, provide local communities with employment opportunities, and contribute to the region’s sustainable development.
