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Diwali in Pakistan, through pictures
Wishing everyone a very happy Diwali and hoping that Pakistan keeps growing as a tolerant and peace-loving nation.
The first day of Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights – was celebrated at Krishna temple in Rawalpindi yesterday.
As a budding photojournalist and having many friends who belong to minority sects, I feel passionately about the state of affairs of the Pakistani minorities. I was, therefore, thrilled to be part of the annual Diwali celebrations for the first time.
The warm, friendly and hospitable atmosphere at the temple made my stay extremely exciting and I thoroughly enjoyed covering this colourful celebration. Here are a few highlights of my unique experience:
1) A girl performs the ‘pooja’ ritual before the Hindu deity Lord Krishna.
![](https://etribuneblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/112.jpg)
2) A woman decorates her hands with henna.
![](https://etribuneblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/29.jpg)
3) Men exchange greetings at the temple’s entrance.
![](https://etribuneblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/310.jpg)
4) A woman lights diyas (oil lamps) and places them in various corners of the temple.
![](https://etribuneblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/48.jpg)
5) A man smears tilak on devotees’ foreheads.
![](https://etribuneblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/56.jpg)
6) A teenage girl performs ‘arti’ before Lord Krishna.
![](https://etribuneblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/68.jpg)
7) A woman prays on Diwali.
![](https://etribuneblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/76.jpg)
8) The temple was decorated with fresh flowers and candles.
![](https://etribuneblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/83.jpg)
9) Hindu Pundit blows a conch shell for blessings during ‘pooja’.
![](https://etribuneblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/93.jpg)
10) A man offers prayers to Hindu God Krishna.
![](https://etribuneblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/103.jpg)
The Hindu community, though a very small minority, constitute an integral part of the cultural and ethnic diversity of Pakistan. They are as much a part of Pakistan as the rest of us and understanding their occasions is something we should all strive to do.
Wishing everyone around the globe a very happy Diwali and hoping that Pakistan keeps growing as a tolerant, peace-loving and inclusive nation.
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