Followers of the Hindu faith celebrated Divali, the Festival of Light, on Monday with prayer, the cooking of East Indian dishes, and the traditional lighting of deyas.
In Patna Village, residents have built on that tradition with their own community-wide celebration that welcomes everyone to share in the festivities.
The Patna Cultural Heritage Society came together and, in just two weeks, rallied their community to host another year of their village’s Divali celebrations.
A representative of the Patna Cultural Heritage Society, Sherisse Ramroop, said the event is an important one because it brings everyone together and helps to preserve traditions passed down through generations, ensuring they remain alive among the younger ones.
“This is really an experience for all of them to share in the experience that our elderly persons would have passed down to us and now they are moving forward with the tradition. So, I really hope that moving forward, the next generation will pick up this bamboo bending and show their creativity every year that we hold this celebration.”
Ms. Ramroop said the village’s diversity makes the celebration even more meaningful, as people from different backgrounds come together to participate. She added that it’s also a wonderful opportunity to showcase the creativity and dedication of the Patna Village youth.
“Especially the children and the youths of Patna Village, because without them we would not have had all these artefacts here today. They would have built all these artefacts from scratch, and they would have been balancing school, work and helping us out every evening and every night. So, we are so proud to exhibit all these pieces from all the children of Patna Village.”
Over the years, the welcoming and family-oriented atmosphere has drawn larger crowds, including visitors from outside the community and even from abroad, who come to share in the celebration.
One visitor, Celeste Augustine, reflected on why gatherings like this are so important.
“I think it’s needed because in a lot of communities it’s dying out. The art and the development and the bamboo bending, it’s now dying. So, I’m happy to see they are keeping it alive here.”
Another attendee, Garvin Nicholas, expressed optimism about how the event has been revitalised in recent years.
“It’s really, really good to see that the Divali celebration is in good hands for the future. It is always a pleasure to be in Patna. I think Patna leads the way in terms of Divali celebrations in Diego Martin, and I hope that we can continue to be a part of it and to see it grow from strength to strength.”
As the deyas glow across Patna Village, they illuminate more than just the night, they reflect the light of community, tradition, and togetherness that continues to shine from one generation to the next. In keeping the spirit of Divali alive, the people of Patna have shown that the brightest light is the one we share.