Special prayers held for country as Hindus celebrate Diwali

SUKKUR:

Special prayers for the prosperity and the progress of the country were held at temples as celebrations of the Diwali continued across Sindh with traditional zeal and enthusiasm on Monday. The festivities would end on late on Tuesday night.

Police were on high alert around the Hindu worship places to thwart any untoward incident.

The festival, which also marks the New Year for Hindus, celebrates the return of Lord Ram along with his wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshman, to Ayodhya from a 14-year-old exile, said Pandit of Sadhu Bela Jai Ram Dass.

The three-day-long celebrations are preceded by pujas at homes, known as Dhanteras. Homes are lit up with earthen lamps while rangoli (dyed rice) is used to craft patterns on the floor to welcome Lord Ram and his wife, Sita.

“The concept is such that when Lord Ram and Sita visit our houses, they like the colours and designs,” Shirimati Neha told APP.

According to her, some people make the Rangoli on their own, while others use stencils to perfect the design. While using dyed rice is a traditional practice, others may go for more innovation, she added.

People of Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Jaccobabad, Kashmore- Kandhkot and its adjoining areas illuminated their worship places on the eve of Diwali.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2023.