The Darjeeling hills kicked off the Dashain (Dusshera) festivities with colourful “phulpati shovayatras” across the region.

In Darjeeling, the phulpati shovayatra or the rally was jointly organised by Phulpati Shovayatra Committee and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) on Thursday.

This year, more than 30 associations organised the shovayatra, a unique custom of the Gorkhas.

The members of the community in traditional attire collect flowers, petals and other offerings from their houses and temples and take the same to a puja pandal to pay obeisance to Goddess Durga.

The decorated palanquin carrying the sacred flowers (phul), leaves (pati) and sugarcane tied in red clothes — the colour symbolising the goddess — is usually accompanied by an ornate umbrella. It is believed that people who pass underneath the palanquin are absolved of their sins.

The tradition dates back to the days of King Pritivinarayan Shah (1723-1775) of Nepal when the phulpati procession used to start from Gorkha, his native place, and end at Kathmandu after covering hundreds of miles.

On Thursday, the rally started from Darjeeling Motor Stand and wound its way to Chowrasta at a pandal. It was accompanied by traditional dance and music with people from various Gorkha clans showcasing their traditions.

Young girls dressed as various Hindu gods moved through the streets.

“Phulpati is not just a religious event for the hill people but has also evolved into a social event over the years. Members from different communities like Buddhists, Tibetans and some Muslims took part in today’s (Thursday) shovayatra,” said a member of the organising committee.

On Thursday, the puja committee also felicitated Chandan Lomjel (musician), Nirnay John Chhetri (social worker), Dorjee Sherpa (Darjeeling traffic OC) and Hemu Rai (artist).

The chief guest of the Darjeeling function was Krishna Singh Moktan, a retired IG of Bengal police.