Guyana comes alive with lights for Diwali

Oct 18, 2009 News

Guyanese of every class, creed and race, last evening took to the streets as has become tradition to view the beautifully lit buildings and edifices as Hindus observed Deepavali or Diwali.

The event is annually celebrated marking the homecoming of Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after a 14 year exile, and a war in which he killed the demon Ravana.

It is believed that the people of Ayodhya lit ghee lamps along the way to light their path out of the darkness.

Last evening as is customary, many homes were adorned with the traditional lighting but ironically as the world moves toward technology so it seems is the festival of lights in that a great majority of the lighting was electrical in origin namely ‘fairy lights.’

This brilliantly lit house belongs to Guyana and West Indies cricketer, Ramnaresh Sarwan

But many did not break from tradition and the customary ‘diya’ was used to produce illumination in various designs and the ‘om’ was a common thread that permeated almost each design.

The children in particular enjoyed themselves. From the toddlers right up to teenagers were observed gleefully playing with their ‘sparkles, firecrackers (though illegal), spinning steel wool,’ or just going out with the family enjoying the view.

Apart from the injection of technology over the years, a significant observance this year was in the Alexander village area in Georgetown which usually attracts a huge crowd sometimes to the detriment of the Mandir and surrounding buildings.

This year there was a plethora of police ranks from constables right up to officers and the Mandir was completely barricaded.

Persons visiting the area had a rather difficult time entering the community, as there were several road blocks and police outposts established within the area itself.

Many complained that it was overkill while others cited prevention being better than any cure.

Over the years, the Mandir has been the subject of many assaults by delinquents using ever larger firecrackers.

Alexander Village apart, the illumination of homes and the skies is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.

According to one belief, the sound of fire crackers is an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state.