Grand Phagwah Mela and Bazaar set for March 4th -Packed calendar of countrywide activities planned
The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will be hosting a number of activities over the next weeks as we prepare to celebrate the Phagwah or Holi on Monday, March 13th.
The annual Phagwah Mela and Bazaar, which is now in its 43rd year, will be held on Saturday, March 4th at Pt. Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra in Prashad Nagar, Georgetown from 4 pm.
The highlight of this event will be a spectacular stage programme which will feature finalists and top performers of the recently held Emerging Voices competition including favourites Vidya Ram, Karamchand Sugrim, Shivanand Singh, Elizabeth Wong, Ritesh Tularam, Altaf Hamid and Tejyas Singh. They will be backed by the Dax New Generation Band led by keyboard maestro Khemo Balac. Also performing will be outstanding Guyanese singers Rekha Singh, Sookrane Bookdhoo, Mona Gowkarran. The Dharmic Nritya Sangh of Naya Zamana fame will be presenting several new and exciting dances choreographed by Dr. Vindhya Persaud. There will also be a special dramatic presentation written and directed by Travez Piaralall who is a graduate of the Anupum Kher Institute of Acting in Mumbai, India.
In addition to fabulous entertainment, there will be delicious local, traditional and authentic vegetarian foods. Patrons will be able to enjoy samosas, pakodas, baiganies, potatoballs 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, authentic Indian cuisine such as biryani rice, rajma and paneer and much much more.
The compound of the Dharmic Kendra 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 children under 10 being given free admission. The Sabha wishes to thank Digicel, ICEE, NTN, Rent-a-Tent and Shaline’s Flower Shop, for their kind contributions towards the event. Tickets are available at Red Mango, Bhagwans, E-Networks – Camp Street and Giftland Mall locations and the Dharmic Kendra – Prashad Nagar and at the gate or call 227-6181 or 219-1900.
However, prior to that, on Sunday, February 26th, the East Coast Demerara Praant will host its annual Holi 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 6 pm. Admission is free and bhojan (seven curry) will be served to all. On February 26th also, the Essequibo Praant will hold their Chowtaal Samelan at the Cotton Field Mandir beginning at 9:30 am.
Chowtaal Samelan, an initiative of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, will be held countrywide in all of the Praants of the Dharmic Sabha. Chowtaalgols or groups from Mandirs in each region will converge at the various venues to share in spirited singing reflective of the festival. There will also be beautiful Phagwah Melodies and pulsating tassa.
Dharmic Sabha’s USA Praant will also hold their ChowtaalSamelan on Sunday February 26th at the Prem Bhakti Mandir. Twenty chowtaalgols from mandirs in the New York area are expected to be in attendance.
On Friday, March 3rd, the Rama Krishna Dharmic Sabha Mandir in Barr Street Kitty will be hosting their annual evening of Holi melodies – Holi Sangam beginning at 7 pm.
Chowtaal Samelans will be held by a number of Praants on Sunday, March 5th as follows:
Sun. March 5 – No. 3 Vishnu Mandir, West Berbice at 10:00hrs
Sun. March 5 –Enmore Hope West Mandir, ECD at 10:00hrs
Sun. March 5 –Lesbeholden Dharmic Mandir, Black Bush Polder at 11:00hrs
Sun. March 5 – Bushlot Vishnu Mandir, Central Corentyne at 11:00hrs
Sun. March 5– Mrs. Dookie’s Residence opp. Soesdyke Mandir, EBD at 18:00hrs
In addition, the West Coast Demerara Praant’s Dharmic Naujawaan will present NaujawaanUtsav 2, their Hindu Youth Concert, at the Ocean View Mandir Compound, West Coast Demerara on Sunday, March 5th as well. The programme will feature songs, dances and dramatic performances form youths across Guyana. Admission is free.
On March 9th, the East Berbice Praant’s will host their Chowtaal Samelan at the Reliance Abandon Mandir beginning at 6 pm.
On Saturday, March 11th, the Est Berbice Praant’s Golden Om Dharmic Youths presents their Phagwah Mela and Katahar Curry Competition at the Rose Hall Estate Welfare Ground in Canje beginning at 3pm.There will be an exciting stage programme which includes an enactment of the story of Bhakta Prahalad, songs and dances along with a number of Holi related activities. Admission is $200.
Holika Dahan of the Burning of Holika will be observed by mandirs countrywide on Sunday March 12th on Purnima or full moon night. In Georgetown, special Satsangh will be held at the Shri Krishna Mandir Campbelville at 6:30 pm followed by the burning of Holika at the Camptown Ground at 7:30 pm.
Phagwah or Holi will be celebrated on Monday, March 13th and the Sabha will also be hosting its annual Holi Utsav at the Everest Cricket Club Ground at 4 pm. In addition, to scintillating performances, there will also be powder giveaways, countdowns, colour throws, dance instructions for the crowd, food stalls and other exciting activities at this family event. Holi Utsav will also be held at the Bath Community Centre Ground on this day beginning at 4 pm. On Phagwah Day – March 13th also, the Essequibo Praant will host its Phagwah Mela at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground at 2:30 pm.
The Sabha urges all to attend these events which usher in the beautiful spring festival of Holi.
Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha
