Flowers are mesmerising to behold. Salahesh Fulbari is a religious and historical site in Siraha District’s Siswan Village Development Committee. This garden is located 3 kilometres west of Lahan in Siraha. This garden, which spans about 12 bighas, is known as the fulbari of Dusadh and Salhesh, the prime deity of the Danuwar caste.
This garden contains hundreds of thousands of trees. The garden’s unique feature is that one of the trees blooms only in the New Year. The garland-shaped white flowers bloom for one day, every morning, on the first day of the New Year in the middle of the Salhesh Fulbari on the branch of a tree called Haram. Surprisingly, the flowers fade in the evening light.
Every year, millions of Nepalese and Indians visit this enchanting natural feature of Siraha. Salhesh Fulbari Mela (Trade Fair) commemorates the miracle of flowers blooming only on the first day of the new year. The flower garden allures the people of Mithila as soon as the New Year arrives. The Malin temple in the fulbari’s centre is associated with the garland-shaped flowers that bloom at the centre of the Haram tree in the south.
This garden is associated with the 14th century king Salhesh and his girlfriends Malini, Reshma, Kushma and Dauna, according to legend. Siraha’s capital at the time was called Mysothagad, and its king was Salhesh.
King Salhesh bathed in Malini Daha, picked flowers in the fulbari, wrestled in Siltah Khand, and worshipped at Salhesh Gad. Every year on New Year’s, a garland-shaped Malini is said to appear for King Salhesh and his girlfriend.
Since Reshma, Kushma, and Dauna’s dream of marrying Salhesh didn’t come true, millions of devotees from India and Nepal visit Nepal every year on Baisakh 1st to remember their love. So, on the 1st of Baisakh, a fair is held in memory of the 14th century King Salhesh to commemorate the legends associated with Salhesh’s bravery, beauty, courage, heroism, and love. People flock to see the golden (Sunakhari) and silver (Chandigava) flowers, which bloom only on this day each year.
Water flows from the roots of trees all around the garden of 12 bigha. The people of Patna, Bihar, Bengal, and Delhi have been drawn by the desire of those who take vows after entering the garden. Thirty percent of devotees who visit the fulbari are Indian observers.
The historical sites associated with the Salhesh saga are inextricably linked to the lives of the people of Siraha district. Excavating the archaeological remains of the fulbari is thought to help attract both domestic and international tourists. Since this fulbari has been named one of Nepal’s 100 new tourist destinations, it is our responsibility to promote and preserve the religious significance of this garden.
Compiled By: Rebika Bishokarma
Photos By: Highlights Toursim, The Rising Nepal
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