The hills kicked off the Dashain (Dusshera) festivities with a
“Phulpati shovayatra” amid fervour that was missing last year because of
the 104-day statehood strike.
This year, 25 associations
participated in the shovayatra (rally), a unique custom of the Gorkhas.
The members of the community collect flowers, petals, and other
offerings from their houses and temples and take them 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
Tuesday, 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 tradition.
Young girls dressed as various Hindu gods rode ponies through the
streets.
“Phulpati is not just a religious event for the hill
people. Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists took part in today’s (Tuesday)
shovayatra,” said Suraj Sharma, a member of the organising committee. (The Telegraph)
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