Today the Hindu community gathers in celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights, on the year’s darkest night. For Guyana, being near the equator, the lengthening of night may not be as striking as in northern countries; but in regions like North India —home to the ancestors of nearly half of our population — this season once marked the end of harvest and preparation for winter. Lights were lit to celebrate the bounty and to honour the life-giving return of the sun, a practice that became the foundation of Diwali.
Diwali celebrates Goddess Lakshmi, the giver of wealth and light, symbolizing prosperity, health and hope. For early civilizations, wealth came from a successful harvest, making the worship of Lakshmi a gesture of gratitude. Hindus understand that wealth is a duty, essential for fulfilling life’s responsibilities, but equally emphasize its just and generous distribution to uplift society. The wisdom “Earn with a hundred hands; give with a thousand” embodies the need for both prosperity and charity.
Each day, Hindus recite a prayer while looking at their open palms: “Lakshmi (Wealth) is on my fingertips; Saraswati (Knowledge) is in the middle; and Govinda (Protection) is at its base.” This reminds us that individuals are responsible for earning wealth, guided by knowledge, and for using it to protect family, community, and country.
The symbolism of lighting lamps also holds a personal message. For ancient peoples, a single light may not have held back the night, but several lights shining together could evoke the return of the sun. Diwali calls on society to ignite individual lights for the common good. Each person can dispel personal darkness by reaching out, mending fences with neighbours, and working through challenges with friends and co-workers. In these small acts we keep the light of unity burning.
Diwali’s customs provide valuable lessons for building bonds and harmony. Hindu families clean their homes together to welcome Mother Lakshmi, symbolizing a fresh start; and prepare sweetmeats to share, building closer family ties. Sharing these sweets with neighbours spreads warmth and goodwill across communities. In multi-ethnic, multi-religious Guyana, it’s inspiring to see other groups join in the celebration, embracing a tradition that supports our nation-building efforts. Hindus, too, have increasingly taken Diwali into public spaces, inviting all Guyanese to celebrate in the light of unity.
Diwali, then, is more than a festival; it is a tool for unity, reminding that despite our diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, we can come together in the shared values of harmony, prosperity, and mutual respect. This Diwali, may each lamp that is lit bring hope, peace, and unity to every corner of Guyana.
Diwali’s message of light dispelling darkness carries unique significance for Guyana, a vibrant nation of diverse ethnicities, cultures, and religions. As our Hindu community illuminates homes and communities, the festival becomes a bridge connecting the entire society across differences, encouraging all to share in the universal themes of goodwill, harmony, and unity. By coming together for Diwali, we honour not only Hindu traditions, but also the deeper values that resonate across all cultures and beliefs —compassion, respect, and hope for a brighter future.
This unity is particularly vital as Guyana works toward a more inclusive and prosperous society. Diwali reminds us, as a society, that while each of us may have our distinct beliefs and practices, the underlying light we seek is common. By embracing these shared values and celebrating together, we strengthen the bonds that make us a resilient, multi-ethnic community.
May this Diwali inspire all to move forward hand-in- hand, building a future rooted in peace, understanding, and collective progress.
Happy Diwali, Guyana! May this festival fill every home and heart with light, prosperity, and joy.
