TIMEHRI – Over 200 incoming passengers from New York were greeted with a sweet treat while entering the Arrivals Lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on November 1.
Bags of parsad – a sweet dessert synonymous with the Hindi holiday Diwali – were distributed by members of the Guyana Tourism Authourity (GTA) and CJIA. Diyaswere also handed out to the surprised travelers.
According to the airport’s Commercial and Administration Manager, Dursatty Doodnauth, GTA and other private companies would collaborate with CJIA to celebrate the country’s holidays - albeit Christian, Hindu or Muslim on an annual basis.
“It is about sharing our culture with visitors, as well as, for the Diaspora to value our diversity,” she added.
Diwali is called the “festival of lights”, and is an official holiday today, November 3 in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.
For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. It involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.
These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst because it is believed that it drives away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweetsand snacks with family members and friends.
