DEEPAVALI or ‘Diwali’, arguably the biggest festival in Guyana, will be celebrated on Wednesday, 26th October 2011.
According to the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s President, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, Diwali celebration transcends race, creed and religion, and has attracted people from all walks of life. Primarily, Deepavali is Lakshmi Puja, and every temple will hold special service; and in homes, families will worship the Goddess of light, Maha Lakshmi.
The annual Deepavali Motorcade has grown in great magnitude, and will bring together the entire Guyanese community in different regions to celebrate the festival of light.
Pandit Persaud said light connotes wisdom even as darkness connotes ignorance. Ignorance must vanish and the Eternal Light in the core of everyone’s heart must be kindled brightly.
Deepavali ushers in an atmosphere of oneness, harmony and togetherness. The festival has the potential to stimulate and kindle the light of love and unity.
Seven creatively decorated and illuminated motorcades will take to the streets and converge at identified venues for grand cultural presentations. The first motorcade will begin at Anna Regina, Essequibo on October 21 (tonight).
* ESSEQUIBO — Fri. 21st Oct. 2011
Leaving Affiance and Sparta, converging at Anna Regina
Community Centre Ground
* West Coast Demerara – Saturday 22nd Oct. 2011
Leaving Ruimzeight and Parika at 6 p.m. converging at Ocean View Mandir Compound
* East Berbice – Sunday 23rd Oct. 2011
Assembling at Main and Vryheid Streets, New Amsterdam at 6.30 p.m., converging at Canje Ground
* Central Corentyne – Sunday 23rd Oct. 2011
Assembling at Bush Lot Village, Corentyne and No. 1 Village, converging at Port Mourant Community Centre Ground
* Upper Corentyne Berbice – Sunday 23rd Oct. 2011
Leaving Crabwood Creek and Adventure at 6.00 p.m., converging
at Tagore High School ground
* West Coast Berbice – Monday 24th October, 2011
Leaving Bush Lot and converging at Blairmont Community Centre ground
The central motorcade is scheduled for Tuesday, 25th October 2011. Floats participating will assemble at Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbellville, Georgetown at 5.30 p.m.
The motorcade will depart punctually at 6.30 p.m. proceeding west along Campbell Avenue into Sandy Babb Street, north into J.B. Singh Road, east into the Sea wall Road, to LBI community Centre Ground, where the prizes will be announced and presented.
The Sabha said prizes have been increased in all categories.
LARGE CATEGORY
* 1st Prize – $300,000. + Trophy
* 2nd Prize – $250,000. + Trophy
* 3rd Prize – $200,000. + Trophy
* 4th Prize – $150,000. + Trophy
SMALL CATEGORY
* 1st Prize – $225,000. + Trophy
* 2nd Prize – $175,000. + Trophy
* 3rd Prize – $125,000. + Trophy
* 4th Prize – $100,000. + Trophy
COMMERCIAL CATEGORY – TROPHIES
There will also be a special trophy for the best designer.
From all indications, the Sabha said the motorcade will be keenly contested. Winning vehicles from all the regions will participate in the central motorcade. Executives of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha feel overwhelmed about the motorcade, which now attracts tourists from the Caribbean, North America and beyond.
This is the 37th year for the motorcade. Over the years, floats have evolved from little pictures and a few lights on vehicles to the most fascinating and fabulous creations, complete with mechanical innovations and special effects.
Pandit Persaud urged those participating to be punctual, bearing in mind that an unbelievable number of children will take to the streets, particularly the seawall, to view the motorcade.
