Diwali celebrations under way in Multan

Oil lamps were lighted and worship places decorated across Multan

MULTAN: Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated in Multan by hundreds of Hindus to mark the day of Rama’s return after a 14-year exile. The three-day festival will continue till Saturday.



The first day is called Dhaneteras, when people buy gold and luxury items. Early morning next day, which is Diwali, every household carries out worship rituals in their homes to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Later, in the day, they go out to meet friends and family and share sweets amongst themselves.

Hindus celebrated the festival with great zeal and religious fervor. They lighted oil lamps decorated their worship places across Multan. Hundreds of Hindus thronged temples even at late night to celebrate Diwali.



Speaking on the occasion, a Hindu activist Shukantla Devi said poverty and unemployment were growing day by day in their community because a 5% quota allocated for minorities was being enjoyed by Christians only and the Hindu community was being denied the same.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2017.