Hinduism in Guyana S.A.

[Sb1995]

^wow..amazing post. Welcome to this forum. I like you already.

 

[Maya3]

Yes that was very nice to read, thanks for sharing and welcome to the forum.

Maya

 

[DeviChaaya]

ShivaFan is it possible you could post some pictures of the Greek murtis? I'd absolutely love to see them.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I know that Murugan is mainly a South Indian deity, but to my understanding most other Indians/Hindus have at least heard of Murugan. Despite being raised Hindu, I never even heard of Murugan/Skanda until I started reading about Hinduism on the internet. My family was surprised when I mentioned that to them. To most Guyanese Hindus, Shiva only has one "son", Ganesha.

That is a surprise to me. How could they forget Kartikeya?

A havan is conducted and the main parts of the Maticoor are digging a hole (dutty) into the earth and making offerings and prayers to Mother Earth for fertility and prosperity in the marriage. The bride and groom are also ritually rubbed with a turmeric-based paste. They both glow with the resplendence of the turmeric, as it usually stays on through the wedding ceremony. I usually find the Maticoor to be even more enchanting than the actual wedding ceremony, as the power of Mother Earth can be felt through the offerrings and prayers.

That is 'mehndi'. The turmeric/besan (gram flour)/Dahi (Yoghurt) mixture - Ubatan, is applied to groom and bride. Even Muslims in the subcontinent have this ritual. We Kashmiris term it as 'Devgun'. The bride is not supposed to leave the house after this ceremony till 'bidai' (send-off). .. Well, now brides go to beauty parlors before marriage. At one time, this was the beauty treatment. But yes, digging the hole is new. I would check with our Maithili driver, perhaps he would know. Reasonable for agricultural communities. Do you know which village or district your people are from? Perhaps I can provide information and images from there.

@Devi Chaaya .. Greek murtis?