Diwali 2013: This is how we do it in Karachi!

This Diwali, photographers Khaula Jamil and Rahat Rafiq show you how Karachiites celebrated the night.

This Diwali, Karachi showed the world how to celebrate. 

Here are some of the gorgeous people and moments photographers Khaula and Rahat came across.

She lit that five times till she was sure I got the shot!Photo: Khaula Jamil

‘I ring this bell indicating the invocation of divinity, So that virtuous and noble forces enter (my home and heart); and the demonic and evil forces from within and without, depart.’Photo: Rahat Rafiq

A man silently seeks a moment of peace away from the maddening crowd.Photo: Khaula Jamil

Dil dil se woh mila de har chehra woh khila de, raat laaye aaj khushiyon ki, Meray tumharey sabkey liye happy diwali.(Make hearts meet, make faces bloom in joy, the night brings happiness, for me, for you, for all of us, Happy Diwali)Photo: Rahat Rafiq

Meticulously making her rangoli while her friend looked on in wonder, absolutely fascinated by the art of her decor.Photo: Khaula Jamil

Light a candle, on this night and let your inner light shine ever so bright.Photo: Rahat Rafiq

She grabbed her friends sparking phuljari when she saw the camera approach.Photo: Khaula Jamil

Trending brightly from one decade to the next.Photo: Rahat Rafiq

Maa Laxmi will come to your house and shower her blessings upon you. So remember to keep your doors open and decorate them with lots of lights and flowers.Photo: Rahat Rafiq

Lighting up a world of their own inside the Swaminarayan Mandir Saddar Karachi.Photo: Rahat Rafiq

It takes a moment to smile before going back to twirling the phuljari again.Photo: Khaula Jami

A view of the breathtaking three-dimensional artwork on a ceiling of a tomb at the Swaminarayan Mandir Karachi.Photo: Rahat Rafiq

 

Lost in his moment of peace.Photo: Rahat Rafiq

Today, I will make a row of lights and within those rows will you find my name.Photo: Rahat Rafiq

Welcoming the New Year with a young heart full of love and joy.Photo: Rahat Rafiq

 

Standing quietly outside her house, she was the first to welcome us.Photo: Khaula Jamil

We hope you had as great a Diwali as we did.

See you all next year!



Khaula Jamil: An independent freelance documentary photographer and photojournalist best known for her project ‘Humans of Karachi’. You can view her Facebook page here. 



Rahat Rafiq: A graduate of Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. He works in a multi-national company in Karachi but continues to pursue his passion for photography. You can view his Facebook page here.