Festival of lights: Diwali celebrations kick off in Hazara division

Special prayers held at Shiva temple in Gandiyan Village in Mansehra


Our Correspondent October 31, 2016
A lamp is lit among other offerings at a local temple for Diwali. PHOTO: EXPRESS

MANSEHRA: The annual Hindu festival of Diwali started in Hazara division on Sunday evening. Like other parts of country, the three days celebrations will continue till Tuesday.

Hindus across the world celebrate Diwali in honour of the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana from exile of 14 years after Rama defeated Ravana. To honour the return of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman from Lanka and to illuminate their path, villagers light oil lamps to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

The Hindu community in Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram and other parts of Hazara arranged fireworks displays at their homes and temples in the evening with men, women and children wearing colorful dresses, while lamps dotted the path to their houses and temples.

The Shiva Temple Society Pakistan President, Sham Lal  explained that  the pundits would lead a prayer in the Shiv Temple in Gandiyan Village in Mansehra district on Tuesday, the last day of Diwali, by offering prayers for the solidarity integrity and progress of Pakistan, Hindu community and interfaith harmony in the country.

Heema Darshan, a member of the Hindu community in Abbottabad, said the essence of Diwali was to promote virtue and desist and denounce vices, like Ram did when he vanquished Rawan.

She stressed on the need for interfaith harmony and strengthening the society. Regarding celebrations she said that the children wear new suits, bangles and play bhajans while sweets are also distributed among the community.

Ashok Lal, another Hindu from Abbottabad while sharing the importance of Diwali, said that the annual festival did not just mean lighting lamps or wearing new clothes and distributing sweets, but the day calls for promoting peace, love and amity.

He eulogised the efforts of Pakistan Army for restoring peace in the country and making the defense of country impregnable. To a question he expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements by police in and around the Shiv Temple during the festival.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2016.

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