Essequibians well prepared to celebrate Phagwah today
HINDU residents across Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) are well prepared to celebrate Phagwah in all its glory today. There was chowtal singing in mandirs at several villages along  the Essequibo Coast last night before the burning of separate holikas, watched by huge crowds, after which they would begin the celebrations with the ashes.
This morning, all devotees will attend religious services in their respective mandirs and celebrate Phagwah in a spirit of joy, happiness and brotherhood.
The chowtal singing will continue from early morning and people will rub ash from the burnt holika and pour water on each other.
Chowtal goles, accompanied by devotees, will take to the roadways and greet villagers by splashing water on them as they wish each other happy Phagwah.
All Essequibians enjoy the Phagwah with water , powder and abeer early in the morning and look forward to the festival of colours.
The Essequibo Coast Praant of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is staging its grand colourful Phagwah Mela on Sunday at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, where bhojan will be served free of cost.
It will be attended by thousands of Hindus and other Essequibians and will feature chowtal singing and other Indian songs relevant to the occasion.
The activity is expected to explore a variety of colours as devotees will powder each other in an atmosphere of love, peace, happiness and joy.
The annual chowtal samelyan was staged last Sunday at the Johanna Cecelia Mandir, which kicked off Phagwah celebrations in the region.