The festival of lights : Diwali celebrations kick off

Hindus have also invited Muslims, Sikhs to celebrate on Nov 14


Our Correspondent November 11, 2015
Hindus have also invited Muslims, Sikhs to celebrate on Nov 14. PHOTO: KHAULA JAMIL

ABBOTTABAD/ PESHAWAR: In a very subdued beginning to a very festive occasion, Hindus in the city started Diwali celebrations at their homes on Wednesday. Elders said they visited temples and performed rituals, but festivities as yet will be limited to their homes and continue for five days.

Celebrations for Diwali, the festival of lights, have been planned for November 14 at Guru Gorakhnath temple in the Gor Gathri complex.

Unlike the previous years, Sikhs and Muslims are also invited to participate and create religious harmony.

Diwali is a five-day celebration that is sacred to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists alike who believe in the victory of light over darkness. Hindus mark the occasion to celebrate the return of Lord Rama and the triumph of good over evil.

All Pakistan Hindus Rights Movement Chairperson Haroon Sarabdiyal says the date of Diwali varies each year and is calculated by the position of the moon and the Hindu lunar calendar. He says Diwali fell on Wednesday, November 11 for 2015.

Sarabdiyal adds the festival sees children out in new clothes and sweets are distributed among homes. Candles are also lit to spread light and remove the darkness of ignorance from this world.

“It gives the message of peace and harmony for all people irrespective of their religion or belief,” the activist says.

However, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has not planned any event to celebrate the day with Hindus and Sikhs in the city. Sarabdiyal says prayers have been offered for progress, religious harmony and durable peace in the country.

Celebrations in Hazara

Diwali celebrations also kicked off in Hazara Division Wednesday evening. Like other parts of the country, the celebrations will continue for the coming days.

To celebrate the return of Ram, Hindus living in Abbottabad, Mansehra and other parts of Hazara will arrange fireworks at their homes and light diyas.

According to Shiv Temple Society Pakistan President Sham Lal, pundits will lead pooja in the 2,000-year-old Shiv Temple in Gandiyan Village of Mansehra district on Monday, the last day of Diwali. They plan to offer prayers for interfaith harmony as well as the progress and integrity of Pakistan and the Hindu community.

They will also distribute prasad among followers on this occasion. Heema Darshan, the wife of Darshan Lal, another Hindu pundit in Abbottabad, says the essence of Diwali is to promote virtue and denounce vices like Ram did when he killed Rawan. She stressed on the need for interfaith harmony and strengthening of society.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2015.

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