Hindus for Selfless Service hosts first Hanuman Yatra

…in commemoration of Hanuman Jayanti

In observance of the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, celebrated on Friday, the Hindus for Selfless Service (HSS) organization hosted the first Hanuman Yatra procession on the West Coast of Demerara.
Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth of Hanuman, revered as one of the greatest warriors and the greatest devotee of Lord Rama.

With Hanuman’s motto, “I will not rest until Ram’s work is done,” HSS organized the Hanuman Jayanti Yatra for the very first time in Guyana. The procession began at Hague and proceeded west, and at Tuschen and proceeded east, the groups converging at the Nirvana Centre at Meten-Meer-Zorg for a cultural programme. As the Yatra proceeded, led by vehicles playing Hanuman Bhajans and the Hanuman Chalisa, devotees, both young and elderly, came out in large numbers and showed great enthusiasm throughout the event. They were dressed mostly in red traditional Indian garments. Some walked, others rode their bicycles or drove vehicles, all chanting and singing along to the Hanuman Chalisa as they waved their red flags and showed great strength and unity. As devotees from the different villages joined in the procession, a Hanuman flag was planted. This added to the splendour of the event, which kept getting better.
At the Nirvana Centre, the groups were welcomed with tassa drumming with great pomp and gaiety. As is customary, tilak was applied to the foreheads and raksha sutra tied to all attendees.
The cultural programme featured ISKCON, many local singers and dancers, and a danda (stick fighting) demonstration by sevaks. A chanting from the Ramcharitmanas of a chaupi (verse) from the Sundar Kand Chapter which is dedicated to Hanuman was read by Pt. Charranlall Nandalall on behalf of the West Demerara Pandits’ Organization.
Mentore of HSS-Guyana, Ravi Dev, who contextualized the actions of Hanuman in Guyana today, delivered the main message. He said that, like Hanuman who had forgotten his pedigree, Guyanese Hindus need to be reminded about the greatness of their religious heritage. Just as how Sita Mata was abducted and had to be rescued before Ram Rajya could be established, in a similar fashion, he said, much of Indian culture has been abducted over the past 180 years, and needs to be rescued for the community to move forward.
Hanuman bhajans were sung lustily, and Hare Krishna chants kept the crowd enthralled in an atmosphere of delirious joy.