The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is promising a full calendar of exciting activities for Phagwah 2016 to be celebrated on Wednesday March 23.
The annual Phagwah Mela and Bazaar will be held on Saturday March 12 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara from 16:00hrs (4pm).
The Sabha in a press release said in addition to fabulous entertainment, there will be a fantastic food festival featuring local, traditional and authentic vegetarian foods.
Patrons will be able to enjoy samosas, pakodas, baiganies, potato balls and pholouries; fried on spot and served with a variety of chutneys, a wide range of Indian sweets including barfi, gulabjamun, pera, mittai and jalebis, seven curry served traditionally in leaves, sada roti with various chokhas, authentic Indian cuisine such as biryani rice, channabatura and paneer and many more.
There will be stage performances featuring outstanding Guyanese singers including, Artie Sookhai, Rekha Singh and Sookrane Bookdhoo, among many others.
They will be performing music from the different decades along with some favourite Holi melodies. “The Dharmic Nritya Sangh of Naya Zamana, fame will be presenting exciting dance choreographies replete with energy, glitz and glamour.”
It is assuring that the grounds of the Conference Centre will be transformed and Patrons can move freely from the beautifully decorated stage area to the Bazaar featuring the numerous food stalls, mehndi booths, games and great shopping deals on everything from Indian clothes, jewellery and Phagwah supplies to phones from Digicel.
Strictly no alcohol will be allowed. Tickets cost $800 with free admission for children under 10 years old. Paid parking will be available within the compound of the Conference Centre. Patrons can also choose to park outside for free.
The Sabha extended gratitude to the event’s sponsors Digicel, GBTI, Geddes Grant and E-Networks and several others.
Tickets are available at Red Mango, Bhagwans, E-Networks – Camp Street, Giftland Mall & Mon Repos Branch, and the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra – Prashad Nagar and at the gate or call 227-6181 or 219-1900.
Additionally, on Sunday March 13 the East Coast Demerara Praant will host its annual Phagwah Sangam at the Mahaica Market Tarmac which will feature Chowtaal melodies and talent from East Demerara in song, dance and drama. The programme commences at 18:00hrs (6pm). Admission is free and bhojan (seven curry) will be served to all.
The East Bank Demerara Praant’s Phagwah Mela will be held on Saturday March 19 at the Diamond Tarmac also at 18:00hrs (6pm).
Chowtaal Samelan, an initiative of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, will be held country wide in all of the Praants of the Dharmic Sabha.
The first Samelan is scheduled for Friday March 11 at the Palmyra Prem Bhakti Mandir, East Berbice at 17:00hrs (5pm). On Sunday March 13, Samelan will be held at the Providence Mandir, East Bank Demerara beginning at 10:00hrs. On Sunday March 20 Chowtaal Samelan will be held at the Guava Bush – Central Corentyne at 12:00 hrs, Rosignol Mandir – West Berbice at 10:00hrs, Unity Mandir – East Coast Demerara at 11:00hrs, De Willem Mandir, West Coast Demerara at 13:00 hrs and the Colombia Mandir – Essequibo at 10:00hrs.
On Sunday March 20, the East Berbice Praant will host a grand Phagwah Mela and Katahar Curry competition at the Rose Hall Welfare Ground, Canje starting at 15:00 hrs (3pm). The event will also feature an exciting stage programme which includes an enactment of the story of Bhakta Prahlad, songs and dances. There will also be a number of Holi related activities. Admission is $300.
The Sabha will also be hosting its annual Holi Utsav on Phagwah day at the Everest Cricket Club Ground. In addition, to scintillating performances, there will also be powder giveaways, count downs, colour throws, dance instructions for the crowd, dahihandi, food stalls and other exciting activities at this family event.
Holi Utsav will also be held at the Oceanview Mandir Compound, West Coast Demerara.
Holika Dahan or the burning of Holika will be observed on the eve of Phagwah at the Camptown Ground, Campbelville at 19:30hrs (7:30pm).
The Essequibo Praant’s Phagwah Mela is scheduled for Saturday March 27 at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground at 13:30hrs (1:30pm).
The Sabha urges all to attend these events which usher in the beautiful spring festival of Holi.
