Navaratri Celebration in Guyana
What is Sharadiya Navaratri?
Sharadiya Navaratri is a big Hindu festival that lasts nine nights. It happens in September or October, after the monsoon. People worship Goddess Durga, who fights evil. Each day honors a different form of Durga, like Shailputri or Katyayani. It ends with Vijayadashami, celebrating good over bad.
Sharadiya Navaratri Celebration in Guyana
In Guyana in almost all mandirs like the Georgetown Hindu Temple. The Indo-Guyanese community decorates temples with flowers and lights. People sing bhajans and dance with joy. Families pray and fast for nine days. They offer fruits and sweets to Durga. Even non-Hindus join the fun, making it a community event. This shows the strength of Hindu temples in Guyana.
In Guyana usually the first 3 days are dedicated to Adi Shakti Durga Mata aur Maa Kaali, the second 3 nights are dedicated to Maa Mahalakshmi and finally the last 3 days are dedicated to Maa Saraswati and on the 10th day Vijayadashami is celebrated.
Role of Temples in Guyana
Temples are the heart of Sharadiya Navaratri in Guyana. The mandirs on these days are full of people doing rituals. The Georgetown Hindu Temple hosts special prayers and cultural programs. Last year Bhajans were conducted in the Minnesota Vishnu Mandir. Temples teach the Indo-Guyanese youth about their culture. Temples are the sacred places bring everyone together for worship and happiness.
History and Tradition
The Indo-Guyanese brought Sharadiya Navaratri from India long ago. Indian immigrants came to Guyana in the 1800s and built small temples. Over time, these grew into beautiful mandirs. This is how this festival of Navaratri keeps Indo-Guyanese heritage alive in Guyana’s Hindu community.
Why Visit These Events?
Just like Sharadiya Navaratri there another Navaratri known as Chaitra Navaratri and it is a colorful time to visit Hindu temples in Guyana. Sometimes there a drama shows also organised at different auditoriums like the Naya Zamana auditorium in Guyana. Usually on Navaratri the drama show of Goddess Durga killing the demon Mahishasur is played and and is loved by all the viiewers,
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