On 8th January 2024, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS), one of the oldest and largest Hindu Umbrella organisations in the Caribbean, marked its 50th anniversary. Led by the late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, GHDS was formed in 1974 to unite Hindu communities from across Guyana when the country was undergoing political turmoil.
Since its inception, the GHDS has supported the preservation of Hindu dharma through its network of 100+ affiliated temples and a branch in the USA, which is home to a sizable Guyanese Hindu community. The organisation has taken steps to ensure Hinduism remains relevant to contemporary society through educational initiatives, such as tailored activities for children, its own nursery and primary school as well as a programme to train local Pandits. GHDS organises one of the largest Diwali celebrations in the Americas and has preserved traditional Hindu folk music through several cultural festivals. GHDS is active in national media through dedicated TV and radio programmes. The Sabha has also developed a shelter and support facility for child victims of abuse.
Home to the descendants of indentured labourers from India, Guyana is home to one of the oldest Hindu diaspora communities in the West.