Darjeeling, Oct. 2: It is that time of year when the hill communities gather to celebrate Dashain (Dusshera) with traditional fervour.

The festivities began today with the phulpati procession winding its way through the hills.

Dressed in traditional attire, which includes the dhaura sural and chaubindo cholo, representatives of various Gorkha communities brought out a colourful procession from Dali, about 4 km from Darjeeling. The procession meandered through various parts of the town before ending at Chowrastha, where a grand puja is being held as per the instructions of Subash Ghisingh.

The Darjeeling police also joined the procession along with the police band. The police have also organised their own puja at Dali as part of Dashain celebrations.

At Chowrastha, the community organisations and temples which had brought phulpati (flowers and leaves) in a palanquin and offered it to the unique 18-handed deity of goddess Durga installed there.

Explaining the rationale behind the 18-handed deity, the pujari Pandit Jiwan Nirola said: “Durga has a different form on all the nine days during which she is worshipped. Hence, we are worshipping the “complete” Durga which should have 18 hands.”

The various committees, which include organisations like the Ghum Gorkha Limbu (Subba) Tribal Welfare Association and the Bazar Kiduk Bhuia Association, also performed their traditional dances in front an audience comprising tourists and local people.

While Mary Boland, a resident of Washington, looked awe-struck at the rich traditions of the Gorkha community, local residents like Rupendra Pradhan said: “The procession gives us a feeling that the festive season has really started.”