News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Oct. 25, 2019: Caribbean immigrant who practice the Hindu faith are set to celebrate the festival of lights officially this Sunday, Oct. 27th.
But there has already been some celebrating this month. In Queens, NY, the annual festival was marked by the annual Diwali Motorcade and concert on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019.
And New York City Mayor de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray hosted the city’s annual Diwali celebration at Gracie Mansion on Oct. 21st even though there was hesitation to declare it a public-school holiday. The Hindu population in the five boroughs of New York is estimated at more than 200,000 and growing. This does not include Sikhs and Jains.
Diwali celebration also take place in Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname where Hindus mark the holiday of good over evil. In Guyana, The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS), will host its annual Diwali Motorcade on Saturday October 26th.
According to a GHDS release, over 30 floats from around the country are expected to participate in this year’s motorcade that will be accompanied by bhajans and tassa and the illuminations and depictions related to the festival of Diwali.
Meanwhile, even The Vatican offered a message this Diwali, calling on Christians and Hindus to shun apathy, indifference and hatred towards others and be builders of fraternity.
Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.” During the celebration, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly illuminated with clay lamps known as diyas. Vegetarian and sweet dishes are prepared and shared with neighbors and friends.
