LAST Sunday on November 21st 2010, was “Teeraathri” the Hindu traditional holiday not nationally observed but observed widely through participation of Hindus in Berbice. Teeraathri celebration, commonly called “Tee rat” by locals is an auspicious occasion where beggars of all races line off the beach for Hindus to offer them alms, food, clothing or whatever they have to offer. I was not feeling well to participate but my mother who went to the Berbice River that channels in front the 63 Beach to pray to Ganga Mata (Goddess of Purifying Water) told me that there was an extremely vast turn out of observers and beggars along the beach.
It was packed! Every year in India this sacred cultural devotion takes place with a large population of Hindus going to the Ganges River to bathe, pray and purify their bodies and wash away their sins. It happens once every year usually in the month of November. Why not pray to the Goddess in control of water, Ganga? She is the controller of the high tides and is the supremacy that is protecting us currently from a natural disaster since Climate Change is ongoing. Nothing is wrong to accept the truths and beliefs of one another’s culture because it makes you wiser to know why people engage in these religious activities, the purpose and what is it all about.
It feels good to be aware that at 63 Beach there is such a large participation in this spiritual and cultural observance, water is essential and everyone should learn to worship it and conserve it because without water we cannot have life. 63 Beach was sprinkled with people across the beach praying and taking part in their family pooja and giving their offerings of fruits and flowers towards Ganga.
When their ritual was over they left the beach by giving their alms and charity towards the unfortunate. I do hope this tradition can stay alive and strong, and as an annual practice will last for generations to come to help people become aware of the importance of this day which is water, goodness and gifts to the unfortunate.