By Indrawattie Natram

AS Hindus across Guyana are preparing for the festive holiday Deepavali, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will be hosting countrywide motorcades commencing from November 2-5, 2018. Diwali will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 6th.

According to President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the largest motorcade will be held between Georgetown and the East Coast of Demerara on Monday, November 5. The creative floats, she said, will assemble at the Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbelville from 17:30 hrs and will leave at 18:30 hrs for the traditional route along Sandy Babb Street for Vlissengen Road and then along the Seawall to the Chateau Margot Ground, East Coast Demerara.

This year there has been a change from the usual ending point, instead of the floats assembling at the LBI Community Centre ground they will be assembling at Chateau Margot. A cultural programme and presentation of prizes starting from 19:00 hrs will commence.

Outstanding singers, Neval Chatelal and Nishard Mayroo of Trinidad and Tobago, will perform alongside top Guyanese artistes including the Dharmic Nritya Sangh, Sookrane Boodhoo, Rekha Singh, Mona Gowkarran and others. Admission at Chateau Margot is free and no alcohol will be allowed.

The Sabha’s president said that millions of dollars in prizes and trophies will be presented to winning floats. It is anticipated that more than 25 floats will participate in the motorcade. Over the last 44 years, the Diwali Motorcade has become a highlight is Guyana’s cultural and tourism calendar and it is known to draw persons from across Guyana to view the spectacular designs.

In addition to the Georgetown and ECD motorcade, motorcades will be held at the Anna Regina Ground in Essequibo on Friday, November 2, at the Diamond Market Tarmac, East Bank Demerara, at the Oceanview Mandir Compound, West Coast Demerara on Saturday November 3, and at the Bath Community Centre Ground, Canje Ground, Port Mourant Community Centre Ground and Tagore High School Ground in Berbice on Sunday November4.