This year Guyana will observe Diwali for the 172nd time since East Indians arrived in British Guiana in 1838, bringing with them their ancient customs and culture from India.

Diwali is a unique festival, the origin of which dates back to Satyug, or the Golden age. The festival is celebrated on Amawasya in the Hindu month of Kartick (October–November), the eighth lunar month of the Indian calendar, which is the darkest night of the year.
Thousands of Diyas are lighted, symbolically driving away all darkness. In ancient times the farmers would have finished reaping their crops about this time, and being in a mood of happiness, they pay homage and gratitude to the Supreme Being. The principal theme of Diwali is the emergence from darkness to light, with the message that we must seek to capture that Divine light of Diwali and illuminate our lives.