THE West Demerara Praant of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has announced a programme comprising a motorcade and a grand cultural show involving all its mandirs in celebration of Diwali this year.
Officials of the Ocean View Hindu Temple at Ocean View West Coast Demerara disclosed that the motorcade will move off from two points at 1800 hours tonight: Parika Junction and Ruimzeight Silo Road.
There will be three categories of vehicles on display: large vehicles-tractors and trucks; medium vehicles- canters and trucks and small vehicles-pick-ups cars and mini –buses.
The vehicles will wend their way to their destination, the Ocean View Mandir Compound to arrive at 1900hrs.
The Officials said that twenty floats have been confirmed to date.
They also said that they will judge participants on the motorcade and award prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place positions in each of the three categories.
They will also give consolation prizes of $20,000 each to the owners of the floats which fall short of the top positions.
The Cultural show begins at the same venue at 1900 hours.
Officials said that it will comprise skits, dances, songs, a fashion show and display of lakshmi . by mandirs throughout the West Coast and West Bank of Demerara and the East Bank Essequibo.
Officials of government and the Sabha will be among special invitees to the grand event.
Chairman Parmanand Samlall and Recording Secretary Chandrowtie Sarran of the Ocean View Mandir disclosed that they are looking forward to the large family support which their annual motorcade and cultural show, has been attracting over the years.
The West Berbice Praant of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will be staging their annual motorcade and cultural show in celebration of Diwali on Saturday October 10 from 18:30 hours.
Meanwhile, the West Berbice Praant of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will be staging their annual motorcade and cultural show in celebration of Diwali on Saturday October 10 from 18:30 hours.
President of the body Mr. Dhanan Jainarayan said yesterday that the motorcade will travel from Bush Lot Village to the GUYSUCO Sports Club Ground at Blairmont West Bank Berbice starting at that time.
The ground will be the venue for the grand cultural show.
Pandit Rajin Lalaram will be the master of ceremonies and it will begin in earnest when the floats on the motorcade arrive.
Dr Bindie Persaud, a Medical Doctor and member of the Dharmic Sabha in Georgetown is a special invitee .
She will make opening remarks after the opening prayers are said.
Jainarayan said that the show will comprise, songs, skits and dances by talented members of the West Berbice praant as well as talented cultural artistes from Georgetown.
Leaders of the praant will give cash prizes to all mandirs as tokens of appreciation for their involvement.
Jainarayan also disclosed that members will on Sunday October 11 take some of the floats on their motorcade to East Berbice to participate in the celebrations being held by members of the East Berbice praant.
Diwali, an annual Hindu celebration also known as the festival of lights will be observed worldwide and in Guyana on Saturday October 17 next.