Golden Fleece Vishwa Jhotir Mandir, of Region Two, emerged as the winner at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) Essequibo Coast Praant Dharmic Naujawan motorcade, outshining seven other floats.
The motorcade was held on Thursday evening at the Anna Regina Car Park and attracted thousands of persons.
The Golden Fleece mandir’s float featured over 21 participants, who acted out the Diwali story on the float.
The Mandir received the first prize of $200,000 donated by businessman Hemant Tekram of Shawn Mini-mart. The Airy Hall Mandir won the second prize of $180,000, which was donated by G&P Jaigobin Supermarket and Hotels.
The Affiance mandir won the third prize of $160,000, donated by businessman Ghansham Sukhoo, of Sukhoo Electrical Elevator and Escalator Services, the Reliance Mandir won the fourth prize of $140,000, while the Huis T’ Dieren won the fifth prize, the Queenstown mandir won the sixth prize and the Bounty Hall mandir won the consolation prize.
Floats were judged based on dress, discipline, music, originality, punctuality, lights (quantity and arrangements), creativity, relevance, oral depiction, theme and banner.
As the floats made their way to the Anna Regina Car Park, residents flocked to different vantage points to witness the spectacular designs.
A cultural programme was also held and featured songs and dances by the popular Saraswattie and Kandhiya dance troupes.
President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Dr Vindhya Persaud said that the Diwali motorcades have survived and endured due to the love for the tradition over the years.
“One of the important things about Diwali motorcades is the participation of many young people, I am impressed by the participation of youths in various areas of art forms and I would like to congratulate all of you,” Dr Persaud said.
Dr Persaud, speaking on Diwali, said that every time one lights a Diya they need to light that divine light within. She said people should strive to have that divine light within in the forms of honesty, compassion and loyalty.
