A series of Diwali motorcades and cultural programmes by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha commences on October 13 and will run to October 18. The motorcades continue a 40-year tradition by the Sabha.
“The Diwali motorcade has become a landmark event on Guyana’s cultural calendar attracting tens of thousands of Guyanese along the routes and at the various locations.
“It is also a beautiful demonstration of Guyanese creativity with the designs and depictions of the floats being more spectacular each year,” the Sabha stated in a release.
On October 13th, the East Bank Demerara Praant’s motorcade will be held at the Diamond Market Tarmac while on Saturday, October 14th, the West Berbice Praant’s motorcade will be held at the Bath Community Centre Ground.
Three motorcades will be held on Sunday, October 15th at Canje Ground-East Berbice, Port Mourant Community Centre Ground – Central Corentyne and Tagore High School – Upper Corentyne. Thereafter, the Essequibo Praant will host their Motorcade on Monday, October 16th at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground and on Tuesday, October 17th, the West Coast Demerara Praant’s motorcade is fixed for the Oceanview Mandir Compound.
The final and largest motorcade will be held on October 18th. The floats, depicting various aspects of the festival, will leave Shri Krishna Mandir, Campbellsville and make their way along Sandy Babb Street and the Seawall road to the LBI Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara where there will be a spectacular stage programme.
In addition to the Dharmic Nritya Sangh and top Guyanese singers, Ben Parag of singing competition Dil Hai Hindustani will also be performing. Ben performed for the Sabha’s Indian arrival concerts at the Dharmic Kendra and in Berbice in May this year and was very much enjoyed by all who attended.
“A natural entertainer with an amazing voice, Ben’s repertoire of songs is varied ranging from new and old Bollywood favourites to bhajans, classical melodies and Caribbean favourites,” the Sabha stated.
Admission to all motorcades is free and, as usual, no alcohol will be allowed. The Sabha has expressed its gratitude to its main sponsor Digicel as well as the mandirs, businesses and individuals who continue to support the Diwali motorcade wholeheartedly each year.
Following the motorcades, the Sabha said Diwali will be celebrated on October 19th. The public holiday for Diwali has been declared as October 18th.
According to the Sabha, Diwali occurs on the 15th day of the dark fortnight in the auspicious Hindu month of Kartik on Amawasya or new moon day.
“The Hindu Day is a lunar day. It runs from sunrise on one day to sunrise on the next day. The day gets its name from the tithi prevailing at the time of sunrise. Amawasya is registered at the sunrise on October 19th and, as such, that day is deemed to be Amawasya. This is the darkest night of the year.”
In addition to the motorcades, the Sabha will also be hosting inter school Rangoli competitions in all of its Praants which will see participation by hundreds of Primary, Secondary and University students. The Mahila Mandalee’s annual Diwali Celebration for children will be held at the Dharmic Kendra on Sunday, October 22nd.
