Richmond Hill once again became a vibrant centre of Hindu faith and Indo Guyanese cultural pride on Saturday, October 24, as the annual Diwali Motorcade brought the spirit of the Diwali Festival of Lights to the streets. Floats and some vehicles were brilliantly illuminated with a radiant glow of colorful lights. Atop or inside the vehicles and open floats were participants in beautiful ear.
The celebration highlighted the enduring importance of preserving religious traditions, honouring ancestral heritage and bringing families and communities together through a shared appreciation of culture. It attracted thousands on the roads and in the mark.
It was presented by the Divya Jyoti Association Inc. led by Latchmee Singh, formerly of East Bank. Her mom, a former New Yorker, manages a beautiful mandir there.
The annual Diwali Motorcade and Cultural Extravaganza is a beloved community tradition that connects generations of Indo-Guyanese and other Caribbean people with their Hindu religious and cultural roots. The event was open to the public, welcoming people from different backgrounds to participate in one of Richmond Hill’s most distinctive annual Fall celebrations. Ther has been strong community support for the motorcade as well as for several other public cultural events including the annual Phagwah parade. The support reflects the commitment of volunteers, cultural organisations, sponsors, performers and community supporters who help sustain major public celebrations. Local businesses included mainstream large businesses provided sponsorship. Queens restaurants, shops, temples and cultural institutions reflect the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural diversity of its residents. Events such as the Diwali Motorcade help draw attention to this distinctive neighbourhood and strengthen its reputation as an important centre of Indian Caribbean heritage in the United States.
Terry Gajraj was the grand Marshall. Also marching were Pt. Chunelall, other pandits, a bevy of ladies, Rusat Ramgopal, among others.
The motorcade commenced at the Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park, popularly known as Smokey Oval, on 125th Street and 95th Ave., and made its way to Liberty Ave, some five blocks before turning right on Liberty Ave, continuing to 120th Street and turning left to 95th Ave and right back to the starting point. At the park, there was a cultural variety concert. The surrounding area is known as Little Guyana and Little Trinidad because of the large number of Guyanese and Trinis who live there, estimated at tens of thousands of each nationality.
Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in Hinduism. Its central message is the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. The lighting of diyas, or traditional oil lamps, symbolises hope, spiritual enlightenment and the possibility of new beginnings.
For the Hindu community of Richmond Hill, Diwali is an opportunity to reaffirm faith, remember family traditions in Guyana and Trinidad and pass cultural values to younger generations growing up in a multicultural society. Guyanese are now in their third and fourth generation in America.
The Diwali Motorcade brings Hindu values and principles into public view, transforming a religious observance into a colourful expression of community identity. Through magnificent colorful traditional clothing, decorated vehicles, elaborate floats, music, dance and devotional traditions, the celebration allows residents and visitors to experience the beauty and significance of Diwali as practiced in Guyana and Trinidad.
Its message also reaches beyond the Hindu community. The values of peace, compassion, respect and unity are universal, making the Festival of Lights an occasion that can be appreciated by people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds.
Richmond Hill occupies a special place in the cultural life of the Indo-Caribbean diaspora in New York. Generations of immigrants from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and other parts of the Caribbean have established homes, businesses, temples and cultural organisations throughout the neighbourhood. They have brought with them languages, foods, music, religious practices and family customs that continue to shape the character of Queens. Diwali celebrations are among the most visible expressions of this heritage. The area was historically segregated with each nationality in their own enclaves. African Americans also settled in certain sections. After Caribbean immigrants, the area was largely occupied by Irish and Italian immigrants; who gradually started to move out with the settlement of Guyanese and Trinis. Punjabis, and Hispanics are also newcomers in the area.
The motorcade and the festival itself give the community an opportunity to showcase traditions that have survived migration and the passage of time, from districts in India to the Caribbean and thence to America. It also reminds younger people that their cultural identity is a source of strength and pride.
For children and young adults born or raised in the United States, participating in Diwali celebrations provides a valuable connection to the experiences of parents, grandparents and earlier generations. Seeing traditional religious symbols, colourful costumes and artistic performances in their own neighbourhood helps ensure that these customs remain meaningful in the future.
One of the defining features of the celebration is the motorcade itself, in which colorfully decorated cars, trucks and official floats carry the imagery and symbolism of Diwali through the community. They were brightly illuminated displays of varied colors, floral decorations and representations of Hindu deities, turning the procession into a moving expression of religious devotion.
Traditional Tassa drumming was also part of the procession and at the concert in the park. Indian music and cultural performances contributed to the festive atmosphere; youths performed with singing and dancing.
The programme reflected the organisers’ intention to combine spiritual reflection with a public celebration of Indo-Caribbean culture. Food and other Diwali related items were on sale. Some booths served free snacks and drinks.
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