PRESIDENT of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Dr Vindhya Persaud has said that the Diwali motorcades has grown tremendously over the years and has been promoting team spirit, togetherness and unification among Guyanese.

Dr Persaud was at the time delivering a feature address at the annual Essequibo Coast Praant Diwali motorcade, which was held on Thursday evening at the Anna Regina Car Park in Region Two.

Dr Persaud said that 49 years ago, her father Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, conceptualised the motorcades which today serves as a vehicle for unification.

She said the motorcades provide avenues for persons to be in an atmosphere filled with peace, love and fraternity.

Dr Persaud used the opportunity to thank all those who played a part in making this year’s motorcade a success. This year, 16 floats, some from as far as the Pomeroon River and Spring Garden, sent a strong message that the Indian culture has been preserved.

Dr. Persaud said that she is impressed with the “masterpieces” that were put together by mandirs and she has seen the advancement of technology used on the floats.

“No one had envisioned how big these motorcades would have been across the region…There is no [better] place to celebrate Diwali than in Guyana,” Dr Persaud said.

Meanwhile, copping first position in the large category was Spring Bhuvaneshwar Mandir. The mandir is located at the southern end of the coast and its members were able to convince the judges that their creative design was deserving of the top accolade. The masterpiece and carvings were done by Mahindra Sharma and team from the Spring Garden Village.

Over 30 persons from the community came together to create the float, which had flower designs was complemented by art pieces and carvings showcasing the message of Diwali.

Sharma told this publication that from the time the date of the motorcade was announced, the excitement filled the air.

This year’s float was a tribute to Humal Jaggernauth who drowned in 2020.

Copping second position was the Golden Fleece Vishwa Jyoti Mandir. The float was adorned with lotus flowers and was fully illuminated. Third position went to the Anna Regina Mandir, while Reliance and Queenstown Gyaan Sagar Mandir came in fourth and fifth respectively.

In the small category, Airy Hall Mandir was awarded the first position while, Affiance Vishnu, Annandale, Bounty Hall and Better Success Vishnu Mandir were second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.

The New Road Sada Shiv Mandir, the Mahadeo Family, the New Road Vishnu Mandir, the Charity Eshwar Jyotir Mandir, the Siriki Mandir and the Aurora Estate Mandir received prizes for participating in the motorcade.

Youths from the various floats were extremely excited to be a part of this year’s activity. Overseas-based Guyanese were among those who came out to see the spectacular designs.