Dear Editor,
For the first time at least in recent history, an inaugural Hanuman Chalisa chanting competition was held at the Providence stadium in a sea of red, the colour of strength associated with Lord Hanuman of the Ramayana.
The event was very well organized and attended with significant participation from East Bank- based temples and support from at least one each from the West Coast Demerara, Wakenaam and D’ Edward Village but with little or no participation from Georgetown and East Coast- based Mandirs. Some have surmised that this is possibly because a Trinidad-based Pandit Narad Gosain was at the forefront of this event, however, Pandit Gosain and his team were well supported by a few Guyanese businesses who assisted with finance and logistics.
It was a pleasure to be a part of the constant chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa with its powerful 40 Caupais and 2 Dohas and the stadium seemed charged with spiritual energy. Amongst participants were a large number of enthusiastic young boys and girls who were well trained and recited the Chalisa in the prescribed manner.
I congratulate the organizers and hope that this will now be an annual feature in the Calendar of Hindu events as any such spiritual endeavour must redound to the benefit of the entire country as Sri Hanumanji is known as buddhimatam Varistham (the best among all learned people)
Jai Bajrang Bali! Jai Shri Ram
Yours sincerely,
Chris Persaud