Well-illuminated, decorated floats brighten Essequibo Coast in Diwali Motorcade
Thousands flocked the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to witness this year’s spectacular and breathtaking Diwali Motorcade on Thursday evening.
The event was organised by the Essequibo praant of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) as Guyana observes Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which will be celebrated on Monday. This grand spectacle was not held in two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the floats that were on display during the motorcade
Several floats, including those from the Queenstown, Affiance, Huis T’ Dieren, Reliance, Bounty Hall, and Golden Fleece mandirs, assembled at the Affiance Mandir and made their way to the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground for the judging and prize-giving ceremony.
Essequibians were left amazed at the creative masterpieces that were on display. As expected, the flashing lights from mobile phones also created an exciting atmosphere.
Performers during the rich cultural programme on Thursday evening
The floats depicted the forms of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses, especially Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of light and prosperity, with whom the festival is most associated.
Also represented was hued Lord Rama with his arrow and bow, his wife Sita, his brother Lakshmana, and his faithful servant Hanuman, illustrating another belief of the genesis of Diwali.
These Gods were well-presented by well-adorned children, who did exceptionally well as the floats travelled through the villages.
One of the crowd’s favourites was created by youths and members of the Golden Fleece Vishwa Jhotir Mandir, and it saw 24 children and adults representing the theme they wanted to portray.
Speaking at the grand Diwali programme, President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, stated that this tradition started 50 years ago, and has grown over the years. She reflected on the importance and significance of Diwali – the Festival of Light, which also represents Light over Darkness.
Meanwhile, the cultural programme saw youths singing, chanting the scriptures, dancing, and reciting poems, among other performances. The winners of the motorcade will travel to Georgetown for the grand event on Sunday evening, October 23, in which at least 30 floats from Essequibo are expected to participate.
(Raywattie Deonarine)
