DEEPAVALI – the Hindu festival of light is undisputedly the largest event in Guyana.  On the eve of Deepavali, the central motorcade of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha brought thousands of people from all walks of life and strata of society, from every creed and religion with our six races and their children squatting along the seawalls cheering and extending Deepavali greetings. The astronomical number who viewed the motorcade along the route was very orderly and must be commended.

The motorcade was made up of decorated and illuminated floats with exquisite creation depicting Hindu Gods and Goddess driving through the routes to the LBI Community Centre Ground with its occupants bedecked with traditional costumes chanting, singing and dancing amidst Deepavali music. The floats were fascinating and have travelled a far way from the inception. The standard was definitely magnificent and surpassed the previous years.

The Deepavali motorcades have achieved international recognition and attracted visitors throughout the season.  It is the Deepavali motorcade organized by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha that has made Deepavali so popular and the Sabha must take full credit for their organizing skills and for moving this festival from homes and little villages to the wider coastal belt including the capital of the country.

The judges pondered, reflected and reviewed their score sheets after very keen examination of each float to ensure that their deliberations would lead to good judgments and decisions.  Within recent years, a special category was created for the Commercial Community with Edward B Beharry & CO. Ltd. capturing the first prize and Regal Stationery & Computer Centre capturing second place.  There were two categories in the general motorcade; the large category was won by the Mon Repos Shri Satyna Narayan Mandir, the second place went to Better Hope, and third place went to the LBI Hindu Temple Dharmic Naujawaan.  First place in the small category went to the Murti Shop, second place to Station Street Community and the Balesar family captured the third spot.

First prize for each category was two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) and a trophy, second prize for each category was one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000)
and a trophy and the prize for the third place in each category was one hundred thousand ($100,000) dollars and a trophy.
(Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha release)