DIWALI, the brightest and one of the most unifying days of the year will be observed on Sunday and it is incumbent upon all to strive to let the light of knowledge overcome the darkness of ignorance.

The glorious Festival of Lights was brought to Guyana by the descendants of East Indians who came to these shores more than 170 years ago. Diwali has always been a colourful celebration, but, over the years, it has evolved in grandeur and splendour, and is today more colourful than at any time before, thanks to the leaders of the Hindu community.

In Guyana, the story of Diwali mostly revolves around the Divine Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, but this is not the only version. There are several others. From all accounts, this ancient Indian festival was first celebrated at harvesttime, and marks the marriage of the Goddess, Lakshmi, to Lord Vishnu, the Protector and Preserver of the Universe.

In Bengal, India, the occasion is dedicated to the worship of Kali, the Goddess of Strength, and Lord Ganesha, the embodiment of wisdom. And these are not all the variations. In Jainism, Diwali is a celebration of Lord Mahavira attaining eternal bliss. The Sikhs also celebrate Diwali. A version of the story that most Guyanese can relate to, or know, is that of the grand return of Lord Rama, who was maliciously exiled in the forest for 14 years.
His return was celebrated in the city of Ayodhya, the capital of the Kingdom Rama, with great pomp and flair, with many beating drums and dancing.

The streets of the magnificent city were also illuminated with lamps. In all of the various versions of the celebrations, a number of themes stand out, and prominent among them are the celebration of light over darkness and right over wrong (the return of Lord Rama from exile), and the celebration of peace, love and togetherness.

In Guyana, DIWALI is part of the national holiday calendar; it is one of the most colourful holidays in Guyana. It is a time when fairy lights brighten homes all over the country, diyas are lit in thousands of yards and passageways and on bridges, and, on Diwali eve, scores of colourfully-lit and imaginatively decorated floats participate in motorcades in each county.
The television and radio carry special Diwali programmes, and Diwali music is heard everywhere. Diwali celebrants deliver boxes of exotic Indian sweetmeats to their friends and associates, and the colourfully-decorated temples are always full with worshippers. **Citizens of all religions now participate in Diwali celebrations.

For example, the overwhelming majority of the thousands who line the streets to enjoy the spectacle of the Diwali motorcades are non-Hindus and non-Hindus would even attend Diwali services at the mandirs with their Hindu friends. All, irrespective of religious affiliation, participate with gusto in the Diwali curries and sweetmeats at the homes of their friends and neighbours.

Guyanese tend to equate the messages of all religious holidays as being similar. They all teach that good will triumph over evil, that charity should be given to the poor and distressed, that mankind must cultivate a moral, ethical and spiritual life, and love one’s neighbour as one’s self. But despite the essence of all religions being the same, they do differ in their theology and metaphysics.

Hinduism’s metaphor and icons have survived from primeaeval times and, as such, differ from those of more modern religions. Its icons, analogous to all religions, are intended to convey ethical and spiritual messages. The icons associated with Diwali are Mother Lakshmi and Lord Rama.

Very ancient festivals and holy days often have a confluence of many myths and legends meeting in them. In Diwali, there is the story of Lord Rama who was banished to the forests for fourteen years and on his final return to his kingdom of Ayodhya, the citizens were so overjoyed at the return of their perfect king that they lit up the streets, their yards and their homes with millions of diyas.

Diwali is also associated with Lakshmi, which Hinduism teaches is that aspect of God which represents enlightenment and economic success and wealth. Hinduism teaches that God is infinite and that Man and his mind are finite. Accordingly, man with his finite mind cannot realise the infinity of God. The only way in which Man could realise God is through the various aspects with which the finite mind could connect. The lights of Diwali represent the light of enlightenment eliminating the darkness of ignorance.

Lakshmi also represents wealth and economic success and this is indicated in her icon by the steady stream of gold coins flowing from her open palm. The religion teaches that those who desire wealth and economic success will invoke and worship Mother Lakshmi at Diwali. In addition to its spiritual and material messages, Diwali also teaches the cultivation of charity, friendliness to all, and regarding one’s fellow Man as one’s brother.

Since Independence, Guyana has been regarding itself and indeed evolving as a plural society, wherein all its various cultural strands would make their contribution towards enriching Guyanese culture. Over the last several years, Diwali has been making such a contribution.