A spectacular motorcade festooned with lights and colorful flowers, made its way along Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill, Queens last Saturday evening, to commemorate Diwali — the spiritual festival of lights observed by Hindus across the world, to honor goodness and prosperity.
Consul General of Guyana to New York, Barbara Atherly, an honorable guest, dressed in a red Indian Sari wished Guyanese a “Happy Diwali”, from the front of the parade where she joined Grand Marshall, Pandit Krishna, and bejeweled women, in traditional Indian regalia.
The motorcade, that began 10 years ago by the Divya Joyoti Association, and celebrated by Indo-Caribbean nationals, was bigger than ever, with lavish costumes, mega floats depicting images of Goddess Maha Lakshmi — the goddess of prosperity.
Lakshmee Singh, one of the organizers, joined the parade as the sounds of the Tassa drums kept participants and parade goers entertained, as boys and girls, men and women, sang during the festival, one of the world’s largest, celebrated across race, religion, and culture.
Roshan Shiwcharran, CEO of Guyana Chune
He said, the entire West Indies converge on the beautiful community to witness the motorcade and cultural presentation of singing and dancing, every year, and thanked Lakshmi Singh for her contribution.
“We are proud of our community, people, and culture,” said the Shiwcharran, saying, thanks to those who came out to celebrate “this beautiful festival every year.”
Judges had the arduous task of selecting the best motorcades from a whimsical, magical, and extraordinary choice that included, the United MadrassiAssociation, Sri Durga Mandir, and many others.
The NYPD DESI Society, the NYPD, Bhuvaneshwar Mandir, Shri Trimurti BhawanInc., Shri Lakshimi Narayan Mandir, Inc. also participated in the motorcade.
