Dharmic Sabha rolls out nationwide Diwali celebrations, motorcades 

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has announced a series of activities across the country to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with events ranging from cultural programmes and bazaars to motorcades and a fundraising concert.
The treasurer of the Sabha, Savitri Sukhai, outlined the activities planned for the coming weeks, including the return of the Deep Jale bazaar at the Kitty Seawall roundabout from November 4 to 6.

The event will begin with a lighting ceremony on November 4, while the bazaar will provide an opportunity for patrons to purchase Diwali items and sample vegetarian dishes, snacks and sweets from live cooking stalls.
Sukhai said mandirs were pleased to have the opportunity to participate, as the event also serves as a fundraiser for them.
Approximately 20 booths will be operated by mandirs and individuals, with young people also involved in organising the activities. The Sabha is targeting an attendance of more than 1,000 people.
Ahead of the bazaar, the Sabha will host a grand dinner and concert on October 31 at the Railway Courtyard, featuring Indian idol singer Ankush Bhardwaj and Guyanese artiste Vishale Samlall.
Patrons will also be able to enjoy Indian cuisine during the event, with proceeds supporting Bal Nivas, the Sabha’s shelter for children, and the Dharmic Rama Krishna School Expansion Project. Tickets are available at the Dharmic Kendra.
The Sabha’s Deep Jale celebrations will also extend to several communities through its Praants.

The Berbice event will be held on October 28 at the Palmyra Monument Site, followed by activities on October 30 at the Anna Regina Town Council, November 2 at the Oceanview Mandir Compound on the West Coast Demerara, and November 5 at the Providence Stadium on the East Bank Demerara. Admission to these events will be free.
The Sabha’s annual Georgetown and East Coast Demerara Diwali Motorcade is scheduled for November 7, featuring floats from Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice.
The procession will assemble at the Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbellville from 17:30h and depart at 18:30h. It will travel along Sandy Babb Street, continue onto Vlissengen Road and proceed along the Seawall before ending at the LBI Community Centre Ground on the East Coast Demerara.
A cultural programme and prize presentation will follow at the LBI Community Centre Ground from 19:00h.
The programme will feature Ben Parag, Vishale Samlall, Artie Sookhai Khelawan, Bunty Singh, Cindy Sookram, Dharmic Nritya Sangh, Berbice Delights, and other performers.
Admission will be free, and alcohol will not be permitted at the venue.
Other motorcades are planned across the country. On November 1, four will be held in Berbice at the Bath Community Centre Ground in West Berbice, Rose Hall Ground in East Berbice, Port Mourant Ground in Central Corentyne and Tagore High School Ground in Upper Corentyne.
On November 5, the Essequibo Praant will stage its motorcade at the Anna Regina Car Park, while motorcades are scheduled for November 6 at the Providence Stadium on the East Bank Demerara and the Oceanview Mandir Compound on the West Coast Demerara.
The Sabha has also organised inter-school rangoli competitions across all its Praants as part of the Diwali celebrations.