THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has an exciting calendar of events planned for Diwali 2012. The month of activities started with Diwali Utsav at the National Stadium featuring outstanding performances from leading Bollywood Playback singer, Shreya Ghoshal, and her troupe. Next up are Rangoli Competitions which will be held on November 2 at 13:00 hrs at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, Berbice on November 4 at 11:00 hrs at the Nonpareil Mandir East Coast Demerara and on November 9 at 13:00 hrs at the Tagore High School, No. 63 Village, Upper Corentyne, Berbice.
       
On November 9, the West Coast Demerara Praant of the Sabha will host its second Diwali Village at the Ocean View Mandir Compound. Patrons are encouraged to come and enjoy the beautifully lit structures and displays which are being constructed specially for the event. There will also be traditional Diwali songs and dances, a wide variety of food, Mehendi and other stalls. Admission to the event is free.

From November 10 to 12, gorgeous float parades will illuminate the roadways in various parts of the country as the Sabha holds its eagerly anticipated Deepavali Motorcades.
The Sabha’s annual Deepavali Motorcades, which it has consistently organised for the last 38 years, have become synonymous with the celebration of Diwali in Guyana. Guyanese, young and old and from all walks of life, line the streets each year to view the spectacular floats which are true testimonies of Guyanese creativity.

Motorcades will be held in each of the Sabha’s Praants. On Saturday November 10 floats will leave Affiance and Sparta and converge on the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, Essequibo. The West Coast Demerara Praant’s Motorcade will also be held on Saturday November 10. Motorcades will leave Ruimzeight and Parika and converge at the Ocean View Mandir compound where there will be a grand cultural programme.
There will be four motorcades in Berbice on Sunday November 11. In West Berbice, the motorcade will leave Bushlot and travel to the Blairmont Community Centre Ground. In East Berbice, the floats will assemble at the Churchview Gift Shop, New Amsterdam at 6pm and then proceed along the Main Road to the Banks DIH Tarmac into Princess Elizabeth Street to the Canje Welfare Community Centre Ground. The Central Corentyne Praant Motorcades will leave from Bushlot, Corentyne and No. 1 Village and converge at the Port Mourant Centre Ground. Also on Sunday November 11, the Upper Corentyne Praant’s motorcades will leave Crabwood Creek and No. 36 Village for the Tagore High School Ground.

The biggest and final motorcade will be held on Monday November 12 in Georgetown/ East Coast Demerara. Beautifully illuminated floats will assemble at the Shri Krishna Mandir, Campbelville at 6pm and then move west along Campbell Avenue into Sandy Babb Street, north into JB Singh Road and east along the Seawall towards the LBI Community Centre Ground where there will be a fabulous cultural programme featuring  several top artistes including the Dharmic Nritya Sangh, singers – Sookrane Boodhoo, Rekha Singh, Mona Gowkarran, Suchitra Rampersaud, the Caribbean Hotshots Band, special guest artiste and many more. Over $3M in prizes and trophies will be presented to the best floats. There will also be special prizes for the best Mandir float in the small category and best Mandir float in the large category as well as for the best designed float overall. Mandirs, businesses and individuals interested in participating in the motorcade can call 227-6181 or 225-1880 for details.