– under the theme: “Promoting National Love, Peace, Harmony, and Unity”
COMMENCING on Tuesday 15th September from 19:00 hrs (7:00 pm), approximately 20 mandirs from the East Coast of Demerara are hosting a three-nights satsangh on the tarmac at Lusignan to honour our ancestors under the theme: “Promoting National Love, Peace, Harmony, and unity”.

The 3-nights event will conclude this evening.

The occasion is also being held in memory of the victims of the Lusignan massacre.
Pandit Haresh Tewari of the Lusignan Mandir, delivering the feature address during the opening night, adjured all Guyanese to live under the guidance of the principles of the theme of the occasion, because this is the only way that will ensure that no parent, no child, no-one should shed the bitter-tears for their loved ones as the survivors of the Lusignan massacre did.

Saying that we can all be ambassadors of these principles, Pt. Haresh appealed that everyone take these doctrines of love, peace, harmony and unity to their respective families, communities, and the wider society in which we all co-exist, so that the ripple effect can spread and encompass the entire world.

Pt. Haresh concluded his presentation with a prayer for the Lord’s blessings on all Guyanese and our country as we face earthly challenges – now and in the future.

Prabhu Dev welcomed members of the very large audience who had journeyed from every part of the country to attend the event, which was opened with a prayer by Pt. Vishnu and an invocation (Vandana/Sumiran) by Pt. Dhamo of the Virginia Mandir.

Bhajans were rendered by the Hare Krishna (ISKCON) movement, Enmore Shiv Mandir, Kirtan Groups of Strathspey Mandir and the Mon Repos Satya Narayan Mandir, Pt. Mohan of Mahaicony, Rocky Persaud of Bel Air Mandir, and the Amar Deep Ramayan Gole from the Rameshwar Ashram, with the Hanuman Chalisa beautifully done by the Success Mandir.

The Tarpan/Havan and Gita Mahatam were done by Pt. Ravi, who did the invocation to the pitris (departed souls) and prayers of salutation and homage to the Supreme Lord, seeking His benedictions. During the Tarpan/Gita Mahatam Pt. Ravi sought from the Lord consolation for the bereaved who are grieving the passing of their loved ones.

MC Ms. Veeren told the relatives of the Lusignan massacre victims that, although wounds will be healed by the passage of time, the scars will remain; but she consoled that golden memories of time spent together will also remain, and the way that children bring their tears with their broken toys for their parents to mend, thus those who are wounded can take their tears with their broken dreams for God to mend.
The highlight of the evening’s proceedings, however, was the flawless and sublimely-lyrical Gita Recitation by the very young children of the Valmiki Vidyalaya Primary School, which was founded by Pt Haresh Tewari in the premises of the Gopal Mandir.

A rendition of the Gayatri Mantra by the children of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha (Cove & John Ashram), led by their guru, Bramchari Vidur, also lit up the proceedings.

In the words of Ms Veeren: “The renditions of these two sets of children assures us that Hinduism is continuously being rejuvenated, and that our ancient religion and traditions would not be lost when our older people departs this earthly abode.”

Ms. Sandra, representing the Corentyne mandirs, not only spoke of the multitudes at the beautiful satsangh as representative of Hindus as one big family; but she also referred to Moslem brothers and sisters who would be observing their holy night of Sat Quadr, which makes this an equally auspicious period for the descendants of all those who crossed the Kaala Paani from India to then British Guiana.

Quoting the great intellectual Kabir Das, no man was born belonging to any religion, but we were all born human, but that, although a man is born alone, he absorbs the cultures and values of the home in which he was born, which are all man-dictated.

She adjured that the sense of belonging should not therefore be limited to the family in which one is born, but to extend to all mankind, regardless of race, creed, or culture. According to her, diversity of cultures and beliefs should not derail the one fundamental truth – that there is one Supreme Lord whom we all call Father.

Ms Rajkumarie Singh, headmistress of the Hindu College at Cove and John, dispelled the myth that this is a period during which one cannot pray. She spoke of the values inculcated into us by our ancestors, and appealed to the younger generation to take heed of their teachings so that our great religion could continue to evolve and propagate its incandescent teachings down the centuries.

Pt. Aditya also made a stirring plea for the preservation of cultural and religious traditions in his presentation.

The Aarti was led by the Clonbrook Mandir after which Pt Dado delivered the closing Prathna.

Pitri Paksh is a sacred 14-day period in the Hindu calendar – an auspicious time during which Hindus the upliftment of their descendants, as well as to that of the wider society.

Commencing 5th September, Pitri Paksh is currently being observed by the Hindu community.

During this period homage is paid to the souls of ancestors, in accordance with dictates of Bhagwat Gita Chapter 1: verse 42, with offerings of rice balls (Pinda), and water (Tarpan).

Hindus will also utilize this period to quietly reflect on the value-systems and core principles, along with other gifts, that ancestors bestowed on their descendants, from which we seek inspiration as we traverse the corridors of existence on earth.

Observance of Pitri Paksh concludes on 18th September.

The East Coast Mandir began this initiative of a 3-nights satsangh to observe Pitri Paksh, which is developing into a tradition, on Tuesday 16th September last year, subsequent to the Lusignan massacre.

On this occasion, as on the initial occasion, relatives of the Lusignan victims did puja during the satsangh to honour the souls of their departed loved ones.

The starlit skies and beautiful weather that blanketed the event with a tranquil, sublime ambience – both last year and this year, seemed a benediction from the Lord, and the prevailing peaceful and harmonious ethos of unity – one-ness with each other, on both occasions, was evocative of the theme directing the spirit and the conceptualization of this satsangh.

Pt. Aditya said that everyone across every divide in the nation who was approached for assistance supported this event to make it into the successful initiative it has become, and the organizers have requested that this medium be used to express heartfelt appreciation to all those who contributed to this successful culmination of much planning and hard work.

The following poem, which was read during the satsangh, was written by a young friend of two of the victims.

THROUGH A LITTLE BOY’S EYES
(By Vashti Ashley Persaud)
Red, my favourite colour, had stained their beds

But they weren’t playing phagwah, something was dread, instead

They were about my age, or so, and I did not understand why

They did not get up to play with me, and which mommy started to cry

I was told that they went to bed early, just the night before

When beasts from the dark beyond came shooting down their door

That they were slaughtered like animals; yet I did not know what they mean

They were lifted out in their bedsheets and their house was not so clean

I turned and tugged my mommy’s clothes, which brought her to her knees

And when I asked why she was crying, she just stared at me

I told her that it was my turn to choose our game to play

And I did not see the reason why Ron and Vanessa just could not stay

But she then assured me that one day we would surely meet

And play all the games we wanted as God watched us from his seat.