While thousands of Guyanese decorated their homes with lights and diyas on Tuesday night in observance of the 2015 Diwali celebration, others who disagreed with the date celebrated last evening.
Homes in and around Georgetown and on the Corentyne were adorned last night with glowing lights while others used the traditional diyas which they aligned in various designs around their yards and houses.
The ubiquitous fireworks were also present. For the first time in recent decades there was a feud between Hindu organisations over the date for Diwali. Arguably the largest Hindu organisation in the country, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) declared the date to be November 11th. This date was opposed by a series of other groups including the Virat Sabha who were able to convince Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan that November 1oth should be the date. Ramjattan subsequently declared November 10th as the official date while the GHDS stuck to yesterday’s date.
Last evening, Stabroek News visited several Corentyne communities that are traditionally a spectacle for persons to visit and view the lights.
At Miss Phoebe, the community just before Tain village, the mandir was a spectacle to behold. Hundreds turned out and viewed diyas artistically placed from the inside of the mandir all the way to the road. However, the streets of the said community were dull as were areas such as Whim and Tain where very few houses were lit.
In Belvedere, Nigg, Topoo and Guava Bush, Hindus celebrated last evening in grand style and took part in the customary spinning of steel wool.
As Stabroek News drove through the streets of those communities, the majority of yards were well lit with diyas. At one mandir in Albion the entire street was lit and one devotee ensured the path was kept lit as she refilled the diyas with ghee.
Meanwhile, at East Canje it was a festive affair. Mandirs and homes celebrated in grand style. Many residents poured out from streets of areas such as Aldephi, Reliance and Canefeild using all means and modes of transportation as they toured the displays.
Yesterday, a number of schools and workplaces on the Corentyne functioned for only half of the day.
Stabroek News was told by teachers from various schools that there was poor attendance by students and that prompted the half day session.
Last night, many had to battle high winds to keep diyas lit. However, lighters of diyas used innovative methods such as recycling plastic bottles by cutting them in half and placing their diyas inside while others opted to use paper bags and placed the diyas inside.
