— several leading Hindu leaders support November 10 as Diwali date

SEVERAL leading Hindu organisations and learned priests have come out in support of the November 10 date declared by Minister Khemraj Ramjattan for the national celebration of Diwali, or Deepawali.The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has contended that based on consultation of the sacred texts, Diwali should be celebrated on November 11.
But the group of pandits and Hindu organisations disagree, while noting that their position was not premised on creating division within the Hindu community.
“Our intention was solely based on correcting what we believed to be the wrong date for Deepawali. We see this as part of our responsibilities as Hindu leaders,” it said.
The group consists of the Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabhaa of Region 3, headed by Pandit Balbadar; Pandit Chowbay of the Par Upkaric Sabha in Essequibo; Pandit Rudranauth Sharma and associates from the Guyana Pandits’ Council; the Maha Sabha; the Gandhi Youth Organisation; the Cove & John Ashram; Swami Aksharananda; Pandit Prabhu Deo Sharma and others from the Corentyne; Pandit Dr Budhindranath Doobay of the Federation of Hindu Temples and Priest in-charge of the Vishnu Mandir in Toronto; and Pandit Rattan (Rajin) Balgobind, of the Hindu Society of Berbice.
The group explained that the difference of opinion for some Hindu auspicious dates for 2015, was not confined to Deepawali, but also affected Phagwah, Janamasthmi, Hanuman Jayanti and Pitri Paksh.
The Guyana Pandits’ Council and many other Mandirs celebrated this year’s Phagwah the day before what was reflected on the national calendar.
Attempts were made during the latter part of 2014 to have these differences resolved.
The group of Hindu organisations and learned pandits also pointed out that some have ventured to create the impression that only in Guyana there is a difference of opinion regarding this year’s date for Deepawali.

Not unique
“This issue is not unique to our country for this year and is the case also in the United States of America and Canada. South India will celebrate on November 10 while the North [will do so] on November 11.
“Our group wishes to reiterate that based on the astrological texts it is guided by, it remains convinced that the date for Deepawali 2015 is November 10.”
The Indian High Commissioner in a release had said that he will be celebrating Deepavali on November 10.
The Panchangs/Patras also allude to world zones for these dates. The zone for Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname shows that the festival will be observed on November 10.
The group of Hindu leaders had petitioned Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, who has responsibility for the declaration of national holidays, to change the date for the festival from November 11 to November 10.
The petition was supported by some 90 pandits and Hindu leaders who represent a vast majority of Hindus in Guyana.
The petition was also supported by renowned Pandit Dr Budhindranath Doobay of the Federation of Hindu Temples and Priest in-charge of the Vishnu Mandir in Toronto and Pandit Rajin Balgobind of the Hindu Society of Berbice.

“It is, therefore, inaccurate to suggest that a minority of Hindu leaders in Guyana disagree with the November 11 date,” the group said.

It also noted that the Maha Sabha in Trinidad and Tobago is celebrating Deepawali on November 10 and it is also a national holiday in that country.

Originally, the Maha Sabha of Trinidad & Tobago had printed November 11 as the date for Deepawali, but, after this incorrect date was recognised, it was magnanimous in recognising its error and changed the date to November 10.

“While we would urge that devotees be guided by the teachings of our religion and observe the festival on November 10, we are also cognisant of the fact that we live in a democratic society.

“As such, we believe that Hindus must also enjoy the freedom of celebrating Deepawali on which ever day they believe. This group calls for meaningful engagements with all Hindu representative bodies to help derive accurate auspicious Hindu dates for 2016.

“Given how some of these dates directly impact national holidays, a respectful suggestion would be for the subject minister to convene related discussions with all Hindu leaders and learned priests in an effort to prevent a repetition of what is transpiring this year,” the learned religious leaders urged.