Copy photograph of a Desherha ceremony by members of 2nd Battalion, 10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles, at Majidee Barracks, Johore, Malaya, 1958-1959 (c).

The 2nd Battalion arrived in Malaya in 1950 and remained there until 1962 when it was sent to Hong Kong. During these years it saw action during the Malayan Emergency (1948-60) against Communist terrorists. The Gurkhas again proved themselves to be superb jungle fighters. 

Deshehra, also called Vijayadashmi, is a Hindu festival that falls in the month of Ashwin (September-October). Hinduism is a popular religion in Nepal and many Gurkhas practice the faith.