The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is reporting that Chowtaal Sammelans organised nation-wide have been attracted young devotees.

In a statement, the Sabha said Chowtaal is integral in Phagwah celebrations and it has been able to successfully impart this feature to young Hindus. Chowtaal Sammelan is a form of traditional Indian singing.

Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud told a gathering at one of the Sammelans held at the Enmore, Hope West Mandir to celebrate the festival with dignity and to support only functions that conform to Hindu norms. He also drew their attention to “the fact that commercial entertainers have been advertising Phagwah Mela which has items unbecoming of Hinduism including indulgence in alcoholic beverages,” the release said.

Persaud urged devotees not to attend these events as Holi is a spiritual celebration and therefore must not be observed in environments that breach Hinduism.

He also said the festival must be celebrated with restraint as “it does not license anyone to drench all and sundry, Abeer must be squirted only on those who are involved in the celebration and welcome the indulgence.”

The Sabha said that on Sunday Sammelans will be held at the Cottonfield Mandir in Essequibo, at the Lesbolden Mandir in Upper Corentyne, the Friendship Mandir on Central Corentyne and at the Number 11 Mandir in West Berbice. These events all start at 10am.

The final Sammelan will be held on Saturday, February 27, at the Annandale, East Cost Demerara Mandir at 6pm.

The Sabha also said the Sammelan its East Coast Demerara Praant held on Tuesday at the Mahaica Stelling attracted its largest audience yet, some 1,500 persons. It said the rich programme kept the audience captivated for several hours. The GHDS’s musical group, led by Pandit Jagmohan Persaud featured the country’s top singers who were well-received by the gathering. The GHDS also held a Satsangh on Sunday at Cullens, Essequibo that was led by Pandit Jagmohan Persaud.